A Jammu and Kashmir Police constable, Pawan Singh, has been arrested in connection with the killing of 21-year-old Gujjar youth Mohammad Parvez. The fatal incident occurred on July 24 near Sure Chak village, just outside Jammu city. This arrest reflects ongoing tensions between police forces and the community, raising significant public interest in issues of accountability and justice.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti hailed the arrest as a “crucial step towards justice.” She emphasized that “no one, not even those in uniform, is above the law,” signaling a call for increased accountability within law enforcement.
Mohammad Parvez, a resident of Niki Tawi, died during what police described as a shootout. However, this narrative sparked outrage within the Gujjar community, who contended that he was an innocent victim killed in a “fake encounter.” Their protests highlighted the need for transparency and justice in cases involving police conduct.
In light of the allegations, the Jammu and Kashmir Police formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and initiated a magisterial probe into the incident. Prominent political figures, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, condemned the killing and supported calls for a thorough investigation.
The SIT’s investigations ultimately led to the arrest of Singh, who faced charges under section 105 of the BNS, pertaining to culpable homicide not amounting to murder. Officials did not disclose further details regarding the nature of the evidence that supported this arrest, but it followed Singh and head constable Baljinder Singh’s immediate suspension after the incident.
In her remarks, Mehbooba Mufti expressed her condolences over the loss of an “innocent man” and acknowledged that while this arrest could not restore Parvez’s life, it brought hope that his case might lead to genuine justice. “The accountability within the police force is not optional,” she asserted in a recent post on social media platform X.
She praised the efforts of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jammu, Joginder Singh, and Jammu’s Inspector General of Police (IGP) for their role in the investigation. The PDP president remarked that the approach taken in this case is essential for restoring public faith in the policing system. “Hope now the judicial process takes its course and that Parvez, silenced in life, finds justice at last,” she added.
The incident raises broader questions about police practices in Jammu and Kashmir, a region that has faced significant scrutiny regarding law enforcement conduct. With community trust hanging in the balance, the government must ensure that justice prevails not just for Parvez but for all victims of police violence.
