KL News Network
Srinagar
National Conference Wednesday asked the state government to take all necessary steps to ensure that Muzaffar Ahmad Rather of Khee Jogipora Kulgam who has been sentenced to death by a Bengal court receives all required legal help in availing his legal rights and options and said the perception of an unfair legal process was “disconcerting” and given past experiences, underlined the need for intervention by the state government at the highest possible levels.
While expressing concern over recent developments, NC Provincial Spokesperson and In charge Kulgam constituency Imran Nabi Dar said, “The circumstances which led to the arrest of Muzaffar and the consequent sentence prove that more needs to brought to fore as there are some glaring gaps and unanswered questions. Besides, the fact that he was arrested in 2007, when as per his family he was just 17 dictates that as a minor he deserves to be treated according to the juvenile justice provisions”, the NC Spokesperson said.
Expressing solidarity with Muzaffar’s family, the NC Spokesperson said, “The family is so poor that they could not even afford a lawyer to represent their son’s case – depriving Muzaffar of proper legal aid. Even today they are finding their way to arrange some money to travel to Bengal for getting the copy of the judgment.”
It is pertinent to mention that Muzaffar has already served 10 years in a far off prison where his family could rarely visit. “The amount of agony his family is going through right now can very well be imagined considering it was expecting his release on the day judgment was pronounced,” Imran said.
NC asked the State Government to secure arrangements for adequate legal aid in a higher appellate court. “Muzaffar was just 13 when his family reportedly saw him disappear. He was a mere child who deserves compassionate treatment by law,” Imran said.
He added that many such cases involving Kashmiri youth who are languishing in jails outside state for decades need to be taken up by the State Government. “There are numerous cases out there where proper and timely legal aid has been missing – resulting in adverse implications”, Imran added.
