Veterans flag delayed justice over Army’s probe into custodial deaths of three Muslim Gujjars (Telegraph India)

A former lieutenant general said such serious cases of alleged human rights violations should have been dealt with expeditiously in a time-bound manner to ensure strict disciplinary action was taken against officers found guilty

February 17, 2024

By Telegraph India Team

The army’s probe into alleged custodial killings of three Muslim Gujjars in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch remains unresolved despite a four-week deadline set by the higher-ups, with veterans expressing concern over delayed justice and accountability.

Sources in the army headquarters in Delhi on Friday said the high-level probe into the alleged torture and custody deaths of the three civilians on December 22 was
still “underway”.

“The probe into the alleged killings is likely to take some more time,” a senior army official told this newspaper.

After the incident triggered outrage and protests, the Centre immediately removed three officers, including the commander of a Rashtriya Rifles brigade, pending inquiry.

Asked about the four-week deadline set by the army brass to complete the probe, the army official declined to comment.

Another official, however, said the army was not well-equipped to play a policing role. “There are lots of issues in the case that need proper investigation and that’s the reason why it is taking time.”

This story was originally published in telegraphindia.com. Read the full story here.