Mysterious letter in Shopian rape-murder case throws new light

Sumir Kaul

Shopian (J&K), Aug 4 (PTI) The Shopian double
rape-and-murder case threw up another angle with the police
receiving a letter purportedly written by a male classmate of
Aasiya, one of the victims, claiming she might have been
murdered by her own family member.

The letter, which was received at a Police station in
this newly carved out district in the Kasmir valley, claims
that the two were on friendly terms and this was not liked by
her brother Shakeel Ahmed Ahanghar.

The letter was posted immediately after unrest broke out
following recovery of two bodies of Aasiya and her
sister-in-law Neelofar on May 30 but it was reported to have
been delivered at the police station only after the
47-day-long protests ended, sources said.

The police has made the letter a case property and were
now trying to trace the writer of the letter.

The writer of the letter claimed that he had met Aasiya
on the fateful day of May 29 along with Neelofar at the nearby
orchards that evening.

However, they were spotted by Shakeel, prompting the two
women to run away from the area, the writer of the letter
said while requesting the police to investigate the matter
fearing the victims may have been murdered by family members.

When contacted, Shakeel Ahanghar said he was ready to
appear before the investigating agencies and face questions.

The Police is taking the help of hand-writting experts to
match the samples of the letter and if possible question the
classmates of the Aasiya, the sources added.

Ahanghar, when contacted by PTI, said he is willing
to cooperate in any of the investigations.

"I am ready to face any questions and I want only truth
to come out," he said.

The Police was also expected to conduct Narco Analysis
of two witnesses who had recorded their statements under
section 164 of RPC (confessional statement before magistrate).

The Jan Commission probing the alleged rape and murder
of the two women had pointed finger of suspicion towards the
brother and husband of Neelofar, one of the two victims of the
incident.

The Commission in its report has said there was clear
indication suggesting enmity between Neelofar's maiden family
and her in-laws, a fact whih Jan later said the police had
added to his report.

The commission in its report said Neelofar, who belonged
to "Peer" (Muslim priest) family seen with respect and honour
in the society, had eloped with Shakeel Ahmad Ahangar hailing
from "Khaar" family, which is included in the OBC category,
leading to a feud between two families.

The Commission said his assets were disproportionate to
his known sources of income, thus requiring an in-depth
investigation to work out the possibility of the involvement
of Shakeel and his friends and associates in the present
incident. PTI SKL
SDE
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