National Conference activist and alleged political fixer Haji Mohammad Yousuf of Bijbhera Anantnag died on Friday in police custody after he was handed over to crime branch by the chief minister.
Facing flak over the political corruption and the custodial death of ruling National Conference activist, the Jammu and Kashmir government on Sunday rejected the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) demand for Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s resignation saying the opposition’s call is unjustified in view of judicial probe announcement.
“Opposition is doing politics over the dead. Without wasting a minute, the government announced the judicial probe and requested the Chief Justice to name the judge for the enquiry. In these circumstances, the demand for resignation is neither justified nor appreciable”, said Abdul Raheem Rather, J&K finance Minster and senior National Conference leader.
Sixty one-year-old National Conference (NC) activist and alleged political fixer Haji Mohammad Yousuf of Bijbhera Anantnag died on Friday in police custody after he was handed over to crime branch by the Chief Minister following the complaint by two other party NC activists Yousuf Bhat and Abdul Salam Reshi
Omar had allegedly asked the trio to visit his residence to look into the cases of money being paid and received to facilitate undue favours to the complainants from the government. Yousuf, who was regarded as close to Abdullah family, had allegedly received Rs1.18 crore from two other activists promsing them berths in the Legislative Council.
“Chief minister's fault is that that he received a complaint and called all the three to find the facts. After talking to them he felt that complaint is serious in nature and needs investigation and IGP crime branch was called in for that purpose”, said Rather.
The deceased’s family has blamed junior home minister Nasir Aslam Wani for the incident. The government however has been claiming that Yousuf died due to the cardiac arrest. But strangely no FIR or inquest proceedings have been lodged by the police even after three days have passed since his death.
“We have constituted a judicial commission and they will look into this issue. Let me assure you that that we want that the truth should come out. If anybody is found guilty he will dealt according to law”, said the finance minister.
The PDP, however, is not giving up and they have decided to take this issue to the Legislative Assembly. PDP legislature group on Sunday submitted an adjournment motion to the speaker seeking a discussion on the shocking issue by suspending the normal business of assembly on Monday.
“Since the high office of chief minister was apparently involved in the dubious killing of a citizen, besides the minister of the state for home affairs, chief minister's staff and some officials of crime branch, the fair and impartial investigation into the unfortunate episode was need of the hour and PDP as a responsible opposition will do its best to unfold the whole incident”, said a PDP spokesperson.
The spokesperson said the party had taken strong note of the reports that the alleged murder has taken place on illicit transactions and misuse of power.
"The party reiterates demand for resignation of the chief minister , his father and Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani. This is imperative for any free and unbiased investigation which will establish the truth and bring the culprits to book," he said.
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