People's Democracy

 Miscarriage of Justice

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) issued the following statement on January 25, 2013. 

THE decision of the army court of inquiry to close the case on the Pathribal killing of five civilians in Kashmir is a travesty of justice.

It may be recalled that the CBI had investigated the matter and chargesheeted five army officers on the charges of abduction and murder.

Consequent to a Supreme Court decision, the case was taken up by an army court, resulting in this miscarriage of justice. Exoneration of the army officers is also a glaring instance of how the army operates with impunity under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act.

The people of Kashmir will draw the obvious conclusion that they are subject to double standards as far as justice is concerned. The crime against innocent civilians in Pathribal should not go unpunished.

Steps should be taken immediately to get the case reverted to the judicial system and a speedy trial be conducted.