Govt says ‘cardiac arrest’, orders judicial probe

Early Times Report

SRINAGAR, Sep 30: None of the politicians of the ruling National Conference, including Ministers and legislators, besides Government officials, agreed to make comment on Syed Mohammad Yousuf, his death in custody or activities. However, this evening an unidentified government official circulated the following statement through state Information Department.

 “According the Government spokesman  on 29-09-2011 during the Assembly Session a party worker, namely Shri Mohammad Yousuf Bhat S/o Ghulam Rasool Bhat R/o Rapora, Ganderbal, at present 5-A, Tulsibagh accompanied by another party worker, Shri Abdul Salam Rishi S/o Gull Mohammad Rishi R/o Akingam, Kokernag approached the office of Hon’ble Chief Minister in the Assembly Complex with a complaint against another party worker namely Sayeed Mohammad Yousuf S/o Sayeed Ghulam Ahmed R/o Loktipora, Bijbehara.

The complainants were asked to report with their grievances at the Camp Office in the afternoon. The party worker namely Sayeed Mohammad Yousuf S/o Sayeed Ghulam Ahmed R/o Loktipora, Bijbehara ,against whom allegations were leveled, was also called at the Camp Office during the same time so as to listen to the grievances of the complainants. On being confronted by the complainants, Sayeed Mohammad Yousuf admitted to having received an amount of Rs 84 lacs from Shri Mohammad Yousuf Bhat and Rs 34 lacs from Shri Abdul Salam Rishi with a promise to facilitate undue favours to the complainants from the Government.

On realizing that the complaint involved serious allegations, IGP Crime, J&K, was called and directed toverify the facts and take further necessary action under rules. All the three persons were asked by IGP Crime, J&K, to report to Crime Police Headquarters. However, Sayeed Mohammad Yousuf reported uneasiness and nauseatic and as such, he was asked to move to one of the escort vehicles of IGP Crime. Simultaneously an ambulance and doctor were also called to facilitate immediate medical examination. On reaching Crime Police Headquarters, the Medical Officer examined Sayeed Mohammad Yousuf and declared him to be all right.

However, being a protected person, Sayeed Mohammad Yousuf was sent to Police Hospital Srinagar, along with the Medical officer for a detailed medical examination. Sayeed Mohammad Yousuf was given further medical treatment at Police Hospital Srinagar and kept under medical observations in the hospital itself. On the morning of 30-09-2011, as he was complaining of slight abdomen pain, the doctors advised him to undergo an ultrasound test. However, before undergoing the ultra-sound test Sayeed Mohammad Yousuf suffered a massive heart attack and expired.

In view of the sensitivity of the matter District Magistrate, Srinagar, was requested to constitute a Board of Doctors to carry out the post-mortem under the supervision of an Executive Magistrate in the presence of the legal heirs of the deceased. The Principal Government Medical College, Srinagar, has constituted a Board of Doctors to carry out the post-mortem. The post-mortem has been videographed. The dead body has been handed over to the legal heirs for burial.

However, in order to allay apprehensions and in order to ensure an impartial investigation, the State Government has decided to request the Hon’ble Chief Justice of the J&K High Court to nominate a sitting judge of the High Court to conduct a judicial enquiry into the immediate circumstances leading to the death of Sayeed Mohammad Yousuf S/o Sayeed Ghulam Ahmad R/o Loktipora, Bijbehara”.

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