Mehboob Jeelani
Srinagar, May 31: The government’s claim of “impartial probe” into the rape and murder of two women of Shopain allegedly by troopers is under question after it excluded experts of Forensic Science Laboratory and Government Medical College to conduct proper scientific investigation.

Experts here say every high profile crime is investigated under a set procedure, which were not followed in Shopain case.
“Logically such cases are dealt by forensic specialists who collect every delicate detail like blood stains, semen, saliva, hair-strands and other microscopic evidences,” an expert of GMC’s Forensic department wishing anonymity said.
He said only forensic experts could have identified and collected such samples from the spot of occurrence.
“If there was any such mark on the corpses, then experts could have extracted the DNA and examined it. It could have helped in identification of the accused persons,” he said.
Nelofar Jan, 22, and her sister-in-law Asiya Jan, 17, of Arhama village were found dead in mysterious circumstances on May 30.
Locals allege that both victims were raped and subsequently killed by troopers while authorities say opinion could be framed only after completion of investigation.
Sources in Government Medical College said that the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Masud Samoon asked Principal of GMC, Dr Shahida Mir to keep a team of forensic experts ready for the investigation.
“The Divisional Commissioner asked the Principal to send a team after she would be given a final signal,” they said.
They said that a 4-member team was immediately constituted and added they were briefed about sensitivity of the incident.  
“The team did not receive any final signal until late evening,” they added.
Meanwhile, Principal GMC Dr Shahida Mir confirmed that Divisional Commissioner had asked her to keep the forensic experts ready and wait for their final communication.
“Our team was ready but we did not get any final call,” Mir said.
However, Divisional Commissioner Masud Samoon said that forensic experts of District Hospital Pulwama carried a proper scientific investigation.
“They doctors of Pulwama who are also forensic experts conducted the post mortem and other investigative process,” Samoon said. “The samples for forensic investigation were also collected by the same team of doctors.”