Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and her daughter Iltija Mufti have been booked for allegedly assaulting a police officer during PDP’s protest against abrogation of Article 370 two days ago, officials said here on Thursday.
A case under sections 132, 121 and 191(2) BNS has been registered against Mehbooba Mufti and Iltija for the alleged assault during the protest for restoration of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status on Tuesday, officials said.
Besides the mother-daughter duo, four more PDP leaders have been asked to appear before the police to join the investigation, officials said.
The police have claimed that Iltija “physically assaulted a police officer” while he was discharging his lawful duties.
“She is further alleged to have grabbed the officer and bitten his forearm, causing a bleeding bite injury,” they said.
The police said the scuffle took place when Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti led a sit-in outside the party office demanding restoration of special status to Jammu and Kashmir on the night of August 4, the eve of seventh anniversary of reading down of Article 370.
“During the course of the protest, a section of the demonstrators allegedly attempted to violate the imposed restrictions by blocking Residency Road and proceeding towards Lal Chowk,” the police said.
The protesters continued to proceed despite appeals for peace by the police, they claimed.
Iltija was hospitalised at a private hospital here after, as she claimed, manhandling by the police.
The PDP leader, who showed her injuries on arms to the media, was discharged late Wednesday after treatment.
“As part of the ongoing investigation, Iltija Mufti has been summoned to appear before Police Station Kothibagh tomorrow to join the investigation in accordance with law,” the police said.
‘Blatant misuse of power’: PDP slams FIR against Mehbooba, Iltija
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday termed the registration of a case against its president Mehbooba Mufti and her daughter Iltija Mufti as a blatant misuse of power and authority.
In a statement, the party criticised the FIR filed by the Srinagar Police against Mehbooba Mufti and Iltija for their participation in a march on Tuesday evening to protest the abrogation of Article 370, calling it “a blatant misuse of power and authority.”
On August 4, the PDP president led a peaceful candlelight protest outside the PDP office to mark the seventh anniversary of the abrogation of Article 370.
According to the party, the City Police (East) restricted her and the PDP workers from proceeding further.
During the protest, Iltija walked alone towards the main road holding a placard against the abrogation of Article 370 but was intercepted by police personnel, the party claimed.
“During the intervention, she was allegedly manhandled by a woman IPS officer of SP rank, along with other police personnel and her own PSO. The officer allegedly instructed the male PSO to use force against her, following which she was dragged by male police personnel,” the party statement said.
The statement alleged that the woman officer assaulted the PDP leader and used “excessive force while preventing her peaceful protest.”
“We have eyewitnesses to the incident and intend to place the matter before a court of law,” the statement added.
The PDP condemned the actions of the police officers involved, calling them “illegal, disproportionate, and wholly uncalled for.”
“We strongly condemn the conduct of the police personnel involved and demand appropriate action against those responsible for allegedly manhandling a political leader during a peaceful protest,” the statement said.
