Ex-minister Kichloo exonerated in riot case

The Justice (Retd) Gandhi Commission probing August 9 Kishtwar communal riots, exonerated Jammu and Kashmir former minister of state for home Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo over his alleged involvement in the incident.

With the latest development, Kichloo who had resigned as minister in the aftermath of the riots, is all set to be re-inducted into Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s council of ministers on Saturday.

Sources told Deccan Herald that Omar has written to Governor N N Vohra requesting him to administer the oath of office and secrecy to Kichloo in Jammu on Saturday.
The report, they said, held former deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of Kishtwar, besides deputy inspector general and magistrates of violence hit areas, responsible for negligence of duty.

“The DIG has also been found guilty of administrative lapses,” sources revealed.
Besides giving a clean chit to Kihcloo, the commission has recommended formation of Muslim Village Defence Committees.

A senior state officer said Justice (Retd) Gandhi has also in his report recommended to treat Kitchloo as a victim and not as an accused.

“He has also advocated for formation of Muslim Village Defence Committees so as to make a balancing act or otherwise according to it there will be a feel of insecurity among the Muslim community that can prove fatal for the law and order in future as well,” he added.

The commission is expected to submit its final report in next two months.

Kichloo, had on August 12, tendered his resignation over the issue of Kishtwar violence saying: “Some political parties are trying to malign my name. I am innocent and have done no wrong.”

His resignation had come after a strong demand from the opposition and an uproar in Parliament after communal clashes in the region in which three people were killed.  The chief minister had ordered a time-bound judicial probe into the incident.