Four Police Officials Denied Bail in Shopian Case

A Shopian court on Thursday rejected bail plea of the four suspended police officers – former SP Javid Iqbal Matoo DSP Rohit Baskotra, Station House Officer (SHO) Shafiq Ahmad and the sub inspector, Gazi Abdul Karim.

The four officials, currently in judicial custody, are accused of destroying evidence in the rape and murder of Asiya Jan and her sister-in-law Nelofer during the intervening night of 29 and 30 May.

Rejecting bail, the Sessions Judge on Thursday said that it was “premature to grant bail to the arrested police officers at this juncture,” as investigations were still underway in the case.

The rape and murder had triggered widespread protests across the valley.