Bandipora, July 16(KNS): In a significant development, the Court of the Judicial Magistrate 1st Class (JMIC), Bandipora, has discharged four accused persons in connection with an alleged bear killing case registered by Police Post Aloosa, observing that the material placed on record was insufficient to proceed with the framing of charges.

 

The case pertains to FIR No. 248/2025 of Police Station Bandipora, registered under Sections 9 and 51 of the Jammu & Kashmir Wildlife Protection Act, 1978, following allegations that an Asian Black Bear, a protected wild species, had been illegally killed in the jurisdiction of Police Post Aloosa.

 

The four accused, all residents of Kreshnar, Malangam, were booked by the police during the course of the investigation and subsequently produced before the competent court after the charge sheet was filed.

 

During the proceedings, the defence strongly contested the allegations and argued that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case warranting the framing of charges. After hearing detailed arguments from both the prosecution and the defence, and after carefully examining the investigation records and the material available on file, the Court concluded that there were no sufficient grounds to proceed against the accused.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

 

Accordingly, the Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Bandipora, passed an order on July 16, 2026, discharging all four accused persons from the case.

 

The accused were represented before the court by Advocate Aamir Hassan and Associates, who argued that the prosecution had failed to produce adequate evidence linking their clients to the alleged offence.

 

The discharge order effectively brings the criminal proceedings against the four accused to an end before the trial court. However, as per the law, the prosecution retains the right to challenge the order before a higher court if it deems appropriate.

 

The case had attracted attention due to its connection with wildlife protection laws, under which offences relating to the hunting or killing of protected species are treated seriously. Nevertheless, the trial court held that the evidence available at this stage did not justify framing charges against the accused, resulting in their discharge in accordance with the law. (KNS)