Srinagar, Dec. 9 -- In a writ petition seeking registration of FIR and investigation against certain police officials for alleged torture and custodial killing of a local young man, the J&K High Court has held that trial magistrates are not empowered to direct Economic Offences Wing, to register and investigate such cases.

Justice Sanjay Dhar allowed the petition filed by the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Economic Offences Wing, Kashmir, against Shafiqa Muneer, a widow from Natipora, city outskirts, whose son was allegedly tortured to death in 2022 while in the custody of Police Station Nowgam.

The bench held "the Magistrate {Judicial Magistrate 1st Class (City Judge)} was not empowered to direct Economic Offences Wing (EOW) to...