Handwara, Dec 28: A local court has sentenced three people to life in jail in connection with the murder of Abdul Rashid Beigh, who was killed fourteen years ago in Wadder Bala, Rajwar area of Hadwara district Kupwara.
An official said that in 2009, an FIR 128/2009, under sections 302, 14, 148, 149/323 RPC, was filed against six individuals, including some females. After 14 years, the additional session judge Handwara announced life imprisonment for three people, while the remaining three were awarded two years in jail, which they have already completed.
He said, individuals sentenced to life imprisonment were identified as Bashir Ahmad Mir and Habibullah Mir, sons of Abdul Gani Mir, and Manzoor Ahmad Beigh, son of Mohammad Hamza Beigh, all residents of Wadder Bala, Rajwar. The females sentenced to two years imprisonment were identified as Mala Begum, Raja Begum, and Fahmeeda Begum, some of whom have already completed their sentences.
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The brother of the deceased, Mohammad Ramzan, expressed satisfaction with the verdict. He recalled that on July 19, 2009, villagers gathered to discuss the establishment of a new SSA school in the village. “An argument ensued when one of the accused attempted to set up the school according to his wishes, and the deceased, Abdul Rashid, opposed the decision.”
Ramzan explained that the village head decided to arrange a meeting to resolve the issues. On that fateful day, as Abdul Rashid was returning from duty, he reached the scene, and an argument between him and the accused escalated into a fight. Abdul Rashid sustained head injuries and was initially taken to the nearby hospital in Zachaldara. Later, he was shifted to SKIMS Soura for better treatment but succumbed to his injuries after battling for a few hours.
According to Ramzan, the police registered a “murder” case and detained around ten people, including three females. On December 28, the sessions court convicted the trio to life imprisonment, Ramzan added. (With Agencies)