Court Quashes Warrant in Rubaiya Sayeed Abduction Case
A special TADA court has quashed an arrest warrant against Shafat Ahmed Shangloo, who was arrested as an alleged accomplice in the 1989 abduction of Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of then Union Home Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
"Inadvertently" Named
The court determined that Shangloo was "inadvertently" named in the warrant. He was listed in the 1991 chargesheet as someone "released for want of evidence," not as an "absconding accused."
Warrants Against Others Cancelled
The court also cancelled warrants issued against seven other suspects in the same case. The court noted that none of these individuals were listed in the 1991 chargesheet as "absconding accused."
Defense Argument
Defense lawyers Yogesh Bakshi and Anil Raina argued that the chargesheet placed Shangloo in the category of individuals "released for want of evidence." They emphasized that he was not among those against whom proceedings under Section 512 CrPC were to be initiated.
Court's Ruling
Special judge Madan Lal stated that Shangloo's name appeared to have been mistakenly included in the warrant. The judge clarified that the warrant could not supersede the information in the chargesheet, which indicated that Shangloo had been released due to lack of evidence.
CBI's Plea Rejected
The court rejected the CBI's plea to remand Shangloo in judicial custody. The CBI had argued that Shangloo conspired with Yasin to abduct Rubaiya Sayeed and was mentioned as one of the "others" in the FIR registered in 1990.
