Srinagar, Oct 30 (JKNS): The Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Srinagar has directed the Station House Officer (SHO) of Police Station Nowgam to examine afresh a complaint against the management of Albani Islamic School, Jamia Chowk, Nowgam, and register a formal FIR if the allegations disclose cognizable offences.
The order, passed by CJM Aadil Mushtaq Ahmad as per news agency JKNS, came in response to an application filed by Fayaz Ahmad Bhat and others, who alleged that the school was operating without requisite registration or authorization from competent educational authorities, thereby misleading parents and collecting fees through fraudulent representation.
The complainants contended that despite repeated representations to the Education Department and the police, no action was taken. They alleged that the school’s management had deceived parents by presenting itself as a recognized institution, amounting to cheating and criminal breach of trust.
After perusal of the police’s Action Taken Report (ATR), the court observed that the report was “perfunctory” and that the matter could not be dismissed as merely “civil in nature” when allegations of fraud and deception were involved.
Citing the Lalita Kumari vs. Government of Uttar Pradesh judgment, the court reiterated that registration of an FIR is mandatory when information discloses a cognizable offence.
The court directed the SHO Nowgam to register an FIR if warranted and SP East Parimpora to supervise the investigation and ensure compliance within a fortnight. (JKNS
