Ishfaq Tantry

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, April 4

A court in Kashmir on Tuesday handed over the custody of a jawan, who was arrested with two live grenades at Srinagar International Airport on Monday, to the Army.The Commanding Officer of the accused jawan told the court that he would be dealt with and proceeded against under the Army Act.JAK Rifles’ Bhupal Mukhia, a West Bengal resident, currently posted on the Line of Control in the Uri sector of Baramulla district in north Kashmir, was to board a Delhi-bound flight on Monday morning when two live grenades were recovered from his luggage during screening at the main gate of the airport. He was immediately taken into custody by the anti-hijacking squad of the police and an FIR was registered.In the application moved by the Commanding Officer of the jawan before the Court of Special Mobile Magistrate, in Budgam district today, it was pleaded that the custody of Bhupal be handed over to the Army as it was investigating the matter on its own and wanted to proceed against him under its own laws.“Because he is a serving member of the armed forces, he will be dealt with and proceeded against as per the Army Act,” the counsel representing the Army argued before the court today while praying that his custody be handed over to the Army.While granting the plea of the Commanding Officer, the court also granted interim bail to the jawan before handing over his custody to the Army.The court has fixed next hearing on April 6 when both police and Army are expected to report to it.