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HC asks Centre, J&K govt to file objections
KT NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, Aug 2: The state High Court has issued notices to the union government and the chief secretary of the state for not handing over the mortal remains of Maqbool Butt, the founding chairman of JKLF, to his heirs; and raising a structure over his grave in the premises of Tihar Jail in Delhi. Maqbool Butt was hanged to death on February 11, 1984 after he was awarded a death sentence by a special court of the state.
Reports said that the petition OWP-305/05 filed by the Bar association in this regard, was heard today by Justice Nisar Ahmad Kakroo in the state High Court. After hearing the contention of the bar which was represented Advocate Nisar Ahmad, Justice Kakroo issued notices to union home ministry, Director General of Police (Jails) and the chief secretary of the state.
Justice Kakroo has directed them to present their objections within six weeks. Bar association, in its petition, had written that the mortal remains of Maqbool Bhat were not handed over to his heirs after he was awarded death sentence by a special court of the state
It has been mentioned in the petition that the family members of Butt had requested the authorities many times during the last 24 years to return the mortal remains, but the latter did not oblige. Quoting references from Iftiqar Gilan's book "My Days in Prison," the petition mentions the desecration of the grave of Bhat and raising of a structure over the grave.
Bar has also mentioned in the public interest petition that Hurriyat and it observed a hunger strike in June this year for demanding the mortal remains of Butt. It has been further said in the petition that the mortal remains of any prisoner are supposed to be handed over to his heirs after the death sentence, but in the case of JKLF founding chairman this legal binding not followed.
Giving legal contention, the petition says that the mortal remains are buried inside the jail premises only after the heirs of the dead prisoner do not turn up to take the mortal remains. It has been said in the petition that the jail authorities did not follow these legal rules.