Firdous Hassan
Srinagar, Mar 21: The family of Rizwan Assad Pandith, the slain Awantipora teacher who was killed in police custody in Srinagar, Thursday sought a fresh medical investigation of the deceased to ascertain the exact cause of his death.
The family members accompanied by the locals on Thursday staged a protest demonstration in Awantipora area, while demanded justice.
Chanting slogans, ‘We want justice’ ‘Rizwan ke qatilo ko pesh karo (Bring to us Rizwan’s murderers),’ the protesters were joined by the members of local Sikh community as well.
An initial post-mortem report has revealed that Rizwan may have died due to “multiple injuries that caused extravasation of blood” possibly due to the torture in custody.
Brother of the deceased, Mubashir Assad, who was leading a protest in Awantipora, said the family was even ready for the exhumation of the body in order to find out the agony inflicted on his brother while he was in custody.
“Although, we will not prefer it but we are ready for exhumation of my brother’s body. Let a new team of doctors be constituted by the authorities for the medical examination. We want justice and culprits taken to task,” he said.
Mubashir said Rizwan carried multiple marks particularly on his back and thighs, a claim he supported by showing the photos of the injury and burn marks on the deceased’s body.
“He had injury marks on his head and face, his left eye had blackened. On the rear end of his thighs, there were horizontal cut marks. The entire portion was black as if he was subjected to electric shock or as if a hot iron was placed on his thighs,” he said.
Not satisfied with the way the government investigation has gone so far, Mubashir said the family will move to the court in order to seek justice.
“The police versions on Rizwan are killing are unacceptable and insane. My brother was brutally tortured and injured and under such conditions he would be not have been able move an inch,” he said.
“The post mortem was conducted without seeking approval from the family. The entire process and the statement by police indicate that they want to hush up the case,” he added.
Father of the deceased, Muhammad Asadullah Pandit also contested the reports claiming his son had escaped from the custody.
“If he (Rizwan) was taken to Srinagar Cargo, how come he was killed at Khrew. Besides Rakshak vehicles are too compact and closed from all sides. There is no way anyone can escape from it,” he said.
