Crackdown intensifies in Kashmir after attack: Homes demolished, hundreds detained for questioning
Srinagar: In the wake of the deadly attack in Pahalgam, authorities in Kashmir have launched a massive crackdown on suspected terrorists and their alleged sympathisers, launching large-scale raids, detaining hundreds of overground workers (OGWs) for questioning, and demolishing properties linked to active terrorists.
Security forces have widened the net across the Valley in an effort to deter any Pahalgam-like attacks. Raids were carried out at more than sixty places on Saturday in Srinagar, including Safakadal, Soura, Pandach Bemina, Shalteng, Lal Bazar, and Zadibal areas "to dismantle the terrorist ecosystem,” The New Indian Express quoted J-K Police spokesperson as saying.
On Thursday night, explosions destroyed the homes of two “active terrorists”—Adil Thoker in Bijbehara and Asif Sheikh in Tral—following raids by security personnel.
Meanwhile, security checkpoints have been established across Anantnag, with vehicles being thoroughly screened. The security forces have also rounded up hundreds of OWGs and their supporters, mostly in four south Kashmir districts, in their bid to track down the terrorists who carried out the attack at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam on Tuesday that killed 26 people, added TNIE.
Officials revealed that one suspected OWG, identified as Altaf Lalli, was killed in firing by terrorists during one such operation in Bandipora district on Friday. He was killed when security forces took him to a terrorist hideout in the Kulnar area of Bandipora district after he pointed out the location of the extremists. Additionally, two policemen were injured when terrorists opened fire before making their escape.
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Cash row: Probe panel confirms allegations against Justice Varma, CJI seeks his reply
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court-appointed panel has confirmed the cash discovery allegations against Allahabad High Court's Justice Yashwant Varma in its inquiry report, sources have said. Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna is also learnt to have nudged the judge to step down in view of the critical findings in the report.
The CJI has forwarded the panel's report to Justice Varma and sought his reply following the principle of natural justice, the sources said.
The report was submitted to the CJI by the three-member panel comprising Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Sheel Nagu, Himachal Pradesh High Court Chief Justice G S Sandhawalia and Justice Anu Sivaraman of the Karnataka High Court. It was finalised on May 3.
The panel analysed evidence and recorded the statements of over 50 people, including Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora and Delhi Fire Service chief who were among the first responders to the fire incident at Justice Varma's Lutyens Delhi residence at around 11.35 pm on March 14. He was Delhi High Court judge at the time.
Sources said the panel found clear evidence to confirm the allegations that a huge stash of cash was found in the storeroom of Justice Varma's official residence at the time of fire incident. The allegation was repeatedly denied by the judge in his reply to the Delhi High Court chief justice.
The sources said CJI Khanna, who is set to superannuate on May 13, is likely to take the issue to its logical conclusion and has informally discussed the findings of the report with senior collegium members of the apex court.
The controversy was raised following a news report in the cash discovery row and led to several steps, including a preliminary inquiry by Delhi High Court Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya, judicial work being taken away from Justice Varma in the Delhi High Court, and later his transfer to the Allahabad High Court sans judicial work.
On March 24, the apex court collegium recommended the repatriation of Justice Varma to his parent Allahabad High Court.
On March 28, the top court asked the chief justice of the Allahabad High Court not to assign any judicial work for now to Justice Varma.
