Jammu, Sept 24: A Jammu and Kashmir Police constable has been formally arrested in connection with the killing of a 21-year-old Gujjar youth, Mohammad Parvez, near Sure Chak village on the outskirts of Jammu in July. The arrest follows a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe and a magisterial inquiry into the incident, officials said on Wednesday.
Parvez was shot dead during an alleged police shootout on July 24, sparking widespread protests from the Gujjar community, who rejected claims that he was involved in drug trafficking and termed the incident a “fake encounter.” Selection grade constable Pawan Singh has been booked under Section 105 of the BNS (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and placed under arrest. Head constable Baljinder Singh, also implicated in the incident, remains under suspension pending investigation.
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti welcomed the arrest, calling it a “crucial step towards justice” and emphasizing that “no one, not even those in uniform, is above the law.” She commended the Jammu police leadership for ensuring a fair and transparent investigation and urged the judicial process to take its course to deliver justice for Parvez and his family.