While Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that he would present his case before the judicial inquiry ordered by the state government into mysterious death of Syed Mohammad Yousuf, a National Conference worker last week, People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti is unwilling to buy his theory.
Speaking to rediff.com from her residence in the valley Mehbooba Mufti said that Yousuf was beaten up badly by the chief minister's security personnel after he threatened to expose corruption by indulged the chief minister and his father Union Minister Farooq Abdullah.
"It is murder most foul. Syed Yousuf, a close friend of the Abdullah family was beaten black and blue that he could hardly breathe. Raja Izaj, inspector general crime branch offered Yousuf a lift in his vehicle as the latter was feeling uncomfortable and was in pain after he left the residence of the chief minister.
"He had threatened that he would expose the chief minister who had been making money for nominating people to the upper house, making them ministers. Now he is no more. This is a sad case of law and order, but no FIR has been registered so far," Mehbooba Mufti alleged.
When pointed out that Omar Abdullah in a press conference had claimed that Yousuf had left his house and he has a video to prove his point of view, Mehbooba said that the video only showed Yousuf entering but not leaving.
"If he says that he is in no way involved, why doesn't he step away from the office of the chief minister till an inquiry is completed? He is misleading the people by saying that he has written to the chief justice of the Jammu and Kashmir high court for deputing a sitting judge to hold a judicial probe. He must write to the President of India to appoint a judge for a judicial probe. What kind of judicial probe can we have when an FIR has not been registered by the state crime branch that is expected to investigate a murder," she asked.
Omar Abdullah has claimed that his silence was being held against him and opposition leaders - particularly PDP - was using the incident to spread canard against him and make false allegations of his involvement in the case. "I will present my case before the commission. And would not answer any question. My appeal to the media is report fairly and if there is evidence of any wrongdoing the same should be brought out," a senior official attached to the chief minister told rediff.com.
