Srinagar: A local court on Monday sent a minor to the juvenile home for 15 days for “participating in the stone pelting and subsequent burning down a police vehicle” at Eidgah on Eid-ul-Fitr.
Faizan Bashir Sofi, son of Bashir Ahmad, a resident of Eidgah, Srinagar, was produced by police in the court of Sub Registrar Srinagar, Manzoor Ahmad Zargar.
“The court sent him to juvenile home for 15 days,” Station House Officer, police station, Safa Kadal, Parvez Ahmad told Kashmir Reader.
Violent protests broke out in downtown city after congregational Eid prayers on August 20. A group of protesters beat up three policemen and set their ‘Rakshak’ vehicle ablaze near in the Eidgah, where Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq was scheduled to lead the prayers. Mirwaiz, who was barred from participating in the prayers, addressed the congregation over phone.   
Subsequently, police registered a FIR number 96/2012 to investigate the incident. “The video and photographs available with police showed Faizan participated in the beating of policemen and burning of the vehicle,” the police officer said.
“So, we produced the evidence before the court which sent him to the juvenile home,” he added.
The FIR in the case has been registered under sections 435, 147 and 149 of Ranbir Penal Code which pertain to mischief by fire or any explosive substance “with the intention to cause damage to any property, rioting, unlawful activities and unlawful assembly,” the police officer said.
He however claimed that Faizan was not arrested by police. “We didn’t arrest him but had asked the family to produce him before the court after he was identified from the videos,” he added.
However, the lawyer who appeared on behalf of Faizan, a 6th standard student, contested police version saying the minor was arrested by police on Sunday.
“Faizan was arrested by police on Sunday and was produced before court today,” advocate Babar Qadri told Kashmir Reader.
“We have moved a bail application but police has not reported back yet,” Qadri added.