Four Jammu policemen suspended over cellphone use by undertrial

Four police personnel were today suspended in connection with the use of a cell phone by an undertrial top HUJI militant, Jammu zone Inspector General of Police Ashok Gupta said.

The action follows a video clip of undertrial Sher Khan -- a former 'Divisional Commander' of Harkat-Ul-Jehadi- Islami (HUJI) aired by a private TV channel which showed him using the cell phone at a local eatery where the police had taken him after a court appearance. He had surrendered last year.

"The probe has started in this connection by additional superintendent of Police Sunil Gupta and four policemen assistant sub-inspector Tilak Raj, head constable Subash Chander and constables Mohmmad Rafiq and Jai Lal have been suspended," Gupta told PTI.

The channel had aired footage captured by a person with a mobile phone showing undertrials having food at Friendship restaurant.

Khan, who was caught using cell phone in the footage, is under threat from militants operating in the district for surrendering before the army.

"They had travelled to Kishtwar from Udhampur, over 200kms, and they could not have been denied food. This is height of making news. Even if they are militants, we have to provide them food," Gupta added.