SRINAGAR: The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh has expressed serious concern over an incident in which a girl was allegedly forced out of the court premises against her wishes by a civilian, identified as her brother, rather than the investigating police. The matter came up for hearing before Justice Rahul Bharti, who took strong note of the developments that took place on March 11, 2025.
During the hearing, senior police officers were present in court. The court recorded the remorse and apology presented by Senior Additional Advocate General Mohsin-ul-Showkat Qadri, who assured that such incidents would not be repeated.
Justice Bharti also raised concerns about the lack of adequate security measures, including deficient CCTV surveillance, within the court premises. The court directed the Registrar Judicial, Srinagar, to conduct an audit of the CCTV installations and submit a report before the next hearing.
The case involves a dispute over the age of the petitioner, as a certificate from the Headmaster of Government High School, Bonzanigam, Budgam, records her date of birth as March 6, 2009. In light of this, the court directed that she be lodged at the Child Welfare Committee Shelter Home in Sanat Nagar, Srinagar. The court further ruled that only her parents would have access to visit her while she remains in shelter home custody.
The SHO of Police Station Parimpora has been directed to ensure her placement in the shelter home and to produce her before the court again on March 19, 2025. Meanwhile, the court has put on hold the investigation in FIR No. 20/2025 and has directed the police not to arrest the second petitioner, identified as Mir.
The matter is scheduled for further hearing on March 19, 2025.
