Qureshi to be flown to Srinagar today to face trial

Maheshwari pronounced the order in a packed court room after Qureshi was produced before him from the high security Tihar jail, where he was remanded in judicial custody till today after his dramatic arrival from Holland on December 29.

Appearing for Jammu and Kashmir Government, counsel Ashok Mathur had earlier appealed that the accused was not required in Delhi as the case against him regarding the hijacking of the Indian Airlines plane had been filed in Srinagar.

Mathur had told the court that investigations into the 1971 hijacking are still pending and Qureshi’s custody may be handed over to state authorities. He said if a person has not been tried for an offence under the state government’s jurisdiction, then the constitutional ban on the second trial does not apply.

Maheswari also granted him to meet the family members and relatives for 15 minutes in the court premises.

Explaining his stand on withdrawal of the habeas corpus challenging his second trial in India from the Delhi High Court on Tuesday, Qureshi said “I want to kiss the soil of my `watan’ (native place) and breathe freely. If I have to face a second trial, then let it be in Kashmir.”

Appealing before the court, Qureshi complained that he was not given his personal belongings, credit card and return ticket. “I came to India on my own and surrendered before the immigration authorities, but my belongings were seized by the police. I had to borrow a shirt from my brother to wear. I am a poor man and the return ticket should be given to me for encashment,” he added.

Maheshwari directed for immediate restoration of dresses, toiletries and medicines and said rest of the things could be obtained from the court in Srinagar.

A team of J & K police headed by a DSP are here to take Qureshi in the direct Indian Airlines flight tomorrow. The Delhi police would be requested to deploy additional force to accompany him to Srinagar, said Pahwa.