![\"\"](\"https:\/\/kmsnews.org\/kms\/assests\/2026\/08\/ATF-1024x683-1-705x470.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Jammu: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, prominent Gujjar leaders and activists have strongly condemned the Indian Armed Forces Tribunal\u2019s decision to remove the \u201csevere displeasure\u201d censure imposed on Brigadier Padmasambhava Acharya over the custodial deaths of three civilians in Poonch, saying the ruling has undermined accountability for torture and abuse in custody.<\/p>\n
According to Kashmir Media Service, the tribunal ordered removal of the censure from the officer\u2019s record, citing a 2023 Indian Ministry of Defence policy that limits the validity of such punishment to two years. The decision has triggered anger among the Gujjar community, with leaders warning that reliance on a technicality could weaken command responsibility in cases involving custodial deaths.<\/p>\n
Community leader Shahnawaz Choudhary termed the ruling a \u201ccomplete betrayal of the community\u201d, saying it could clear the way for the officer\u2019s future promotion and make a mockery of justice. He maintained that senior commanders were present in the Dera Ki Gali (DKG) control room during the alleged torture at Mastan Dhara and could not evade moral and operational responsibility.<\/p>\n
Activist Zahid Parwaz demanded an uncompromising investigation into the deaths, warning that dilution of command accountability would establish a dangerous precedent and undermine confidence in the justice system.<\/p>\n
Former Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sharif Chouhan also called for \u201cabsolute accountability\u201d, describing it as essential to maintaining the moral credibility of the Indian Army.<\/p>\n
The case dates back to December 21, 2023, when an ambush in Dera Ki Gali killed four Indian troops. During subsequent searches, three civilian men detained for questioning died in custody. A video showing their torture later surfaced online, triggering widespread outrage and demands for accountability.<\/p>\n
The Gujjar leaders have called for action against senior Indian Army officers named during the proceedings, arguing that responsibility for custodial abuses cannot be confined to lower-ranking personnel.<\/p>\n
The tribunal\u2019s decision has once again raised serious questions over impunity and command accountability in IIOJK, where allegations of custodial torture, extrajudicial killings and human rights abuses by Indian forces have repeatedly drawn condemnation from rights groups.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Jammu: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, prominent Gujjar leaders and activists have strongly condemned the Indian Armed Forces Tribunal\u2019s decision to remove the \u201csevere displeasure\u201d censure imposed on Brigadier Padmasambhava Acharya over the custodial deaths of three civilians in Poonch, saying the ruling has undermined accountability for torture and abuse in custody. According …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":209256,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-209255","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-indian-occupied-jammu-and-kashmir"],"yoast_head":"\n