The self-styled godman from Central Kashmir’s Shamabad hamlet of Budgam District Gulzar Pir has approached Supreme Court seeking transfer of his case to any other bench of Jammu and Kashmir High Court that is presently hearing a government appeal against his acquittal.Police had arrested Gulzar Ahmed Bhat alias Gulzar Pir son Ghulam Qadir Bhat, resident of Latter Chadur (Shamasabad) Khansahib for allegedly raping four minor girls who were studying in his seminary.Gulzar Bhat allegedly used to lure girls and woman and later on with the help of some others assaulted them sexually.Gulzar had established an institute on the pretext of providing religious teaching at Nendwanpora area of Budgam with lodging and boarding facilities especially for girl students. Hundreds of girls were lodged in the institute.
The sex exploitation in the seminary by the fake god-man had surprised everyone and valley. From common person to religious and political leaders of every faith and faction demand an exemplary sentence to the accused god man after he was acquitted by a local court. Principles and District Judge Budgam, Syed Tauqeer Ahmed had maintained that the prosecution miserably failed to prove the guilt against the accused persons beyond any shadow of doubt as is mandatory under criminal jurisprudence.The judgement triggered an outcry in Kashmir and amid protests and flak, the state government filed appeal against a Budgam court’s order challenging the acquittal of Pir, who was again detained and currently has been spending days and night in Central Jail Srinagar. Sources told CNS that in a bid to pave way for the release of Gulzar Pir, his selected followers on his behalf through a Counsel have approached Supreme Court seeking transfer of his case to any other bench of Jammu and Kashmir High Court that is presently hearing a government appeal against his acquittal. (CNS)