3 convicted in 2017 Mattan murder case

Anantnag, Jul 10: The Additional Sessions Court in Anantnag on Thursday convicted three men for the 2017 murder of a 29-year-old butcher from Budgam, terming it a “premeditated and cold-blooded act” motivated by greed.

Judge Masrat Roohi found Javaid Ahmad Poswal, Muhammad Ashraf Kaloo Khel, and Muhammad Imran Poswal, also known as Manoo, guilty under Sections 302 (murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) for killing Mushtaq Ahmad Ganie of Hyderpora.

Sentencing has been scheduled for July 16.

According to the court judgment, “The trio lured Ganie to the forests of Hutmarah in Mattan on the pretext of a livestock deal, tied his hands, strangled him, and looted the cash he was carrying. His vehicle was later found abandoned in Pampore.”

Ganie had gone missing on June 29, 2017, after receiving a phone call from Javaid Poswal asking him to bring money for the purchase of sheep. His body was recovered several days later, showing signs of torture with his hands tied behind his back.

The investigation was carried out by Police from Mattan Police Station, who pieced together the sequence of events using call detail records, eyewitness accounts, and forensic evidence.

“The looted money was also partially recovered, strengthening the case against the accused,” the judgement read.

The prosecution presented over a dozen witnesses during the trial.

After a detailed examination of oral and documentary evidence, the court concluded, “The accused had conspired and executed the murder with a clear intent to rob the victim.”

Senior Prosecuting Officer Mohammad Yaseen Najar, Additional Public Prosecutor, represented the state in the case.

The murder had sparked widespread outrage in Ganie’s hometown and among the local trader community, prompting calls for swift justice.