Srinagar, Dec 21: The one-man probe into the alleged custodial killing of Abdul Hameed Wani, a mason in Mocchoo in central Kashmir's Budgam district last month, is believed to have contested the police claims surrounding the death.

Assistant Commissioner Ghulam Ahmad Ganaie, who conducted the inquiry as additional district magistrate, is said to have challenged the police version on the cause of death. Wani was wrongly confined and there was "suppression" of facts by the police in the case, sources said. According to the report submitted to deputy commissioner, Budgam, Baseer Ahmad Khan, Wani's death could not have been a suicide by hanging himself as claimed by the police, the sources said quoting the report.

The report also said that Wani was wrongly confined as he was arrested before it was put on records. Senior police officials had given contradictory dates as to arrest of Wani, it said.

It also accused the police of suppressing the facts as the officials of the concerned police station when quizzed about the case gave contradictory version of the events.
Massive protests were held by residents of Mocchu against the killing of Wani allegedly in police custody and on keen pursuit of local MLA of the ruling PDP Javid Mustafa Mir an inquiry was ordered which had to submit its report within 10 days.

Police in the fir against Wani had said a pistol and some rounds were recovered from him on his arrest - a claim vehemently denied by his relatives.

Bureau Report