Detained Afghans Brought To HC

Srinagar, Apr 30, KONS: Jailed for the past 11 years, eight Afghan nationals had their case heard in the High Court today, with three of them being brought from the Tihar jail in Delhi. The court hs reserved its judgment till Thursday.
The eight Afghans, identified as Sohrab Khan, Taza Khan, Baaz Muhammad, Abdul Ghayoor, Abdul Hameed, Ayub Khan, Hamza Khan, and Khairuddin Khan had been arrested in October 1997 during a police raid in the Chahama area of Kupwara district.
The police later approached the district and sessions court in Kupwara, but failed to produce concrete evidence against the Afghans, following which the court released all the eight on the very first hearing.
The police prepared to appeal the district court verdict in the High Court, but for some unknown reasons refrained from taking the step.
The arrested Afghans were divided into three groups and sent to the Tihar Jail, the Udhampur Jail and the Sangroor Jail.
The case of the accused came up before Justice Sunil Hali in the High Court today, with advocates Nazir Ahmad Ronga and G.N. Shaheen pleading for the defence, while advocate general Muhammad Amin Rathor appeared for the government.
Sohrab Khan, Taza Khan and Baaz Muhammad were produced in the court.
The counsel for the defence said that the other detainees were not brought to the court because their health had deteriorated in custody.
The requested the court to ensure the presence of the other Afghans subsequently.
Justice Hali heard arguments from both sides, but reserved his judgment, saying that the final verdict would be pronounced on Thursday.
30.04.2008.www.kashmirobserver.com