Overview

• Chief Judicial Magistrate Ajay Kumar directed the SSP Kathua to register an FIR at Basohli police station and have an experienced, independent officer investigate.
• The order specifies that no individual officer should be named in the FIR at this stage, leaving accountability to be determined by the inquiry.
• The court said police denials cannot be accepted at this stage and found that the allegations disclose cognizable offences requiring registration of a case.
• An earlier internal inquiry that gave a clean chit to personnel was deemed impermissible before FIR registration, and a 25‑page order was sent to the SSP with a one‑week deadline to report back.
• Sukar Deen and Fareed Mohammad allege illegal detention and torture at Atal Setu in late June, were themselves booked in FIR No. 61/2025, and have a related contempt petition in the High Court where notices were issued to multiple officers.