Last month, two National Conference workers in Jammu and Kashmir — Abdus Salam Reshi and Yousuf Bhat — complained that a third NC man, Syed Mohammad Yousuf, had taken money in order to swing plum posts for them. On September 30, they along with Yousuf were asked to come to the residence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who, in turn, handed the three men to the police for further investigation. A few hours later, Yousuf died in hospital of cardiac arrest. Under pressure from the opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) and others to step down so that a fair probe into the custodial death can be held,Omar Abdullahsays he will not quit. In an interview withShujaat Bukharion Friday, he said that he had ordered a judicial inquiry even though he was not under any obligation to do so and was ready to face the Commission of Inquiry (CoI). Excerpts:
Why did you call Syed Mohammed Yousuf and the two other NC men to your house in the first place?
Two of the NC members came with a complaint about a third person. I felt that, rather than rely on either hearsay or the fact that either of the parties would talk in the absence of the other party, it was better to call them together, let them face each other so that nobody can say the opportunity for defence was denied. I also wanted to see whether the complaint had any merit. I found that the complaint not only had merit but was extremely serious, given the sums of money talked about. Hence, I immediately handed them over to the Crime Branch for further action.
What happened inside your house?
In order to ensure that nothing goes wrong, the two complainants were sitting in the room where I meet people and the third [the deceased Syed Mohammad Yousuf] was sitting in the waiting room. I called him also and asked him whether he had received money. Initially he denied, but later he accepted [that he had]. But he said he can't [return the] money immediately. To me, this was a serious issue as he had taken money from these people. What was the guarantee that he would not take money from others?
Did you ask for collateral property since he was not ready to give the money back?
No. The two people felt they should get their money back and this was discussed. He offered to give collateral for the money. But in any case, it was for the Crime Branch to decide after investigation.
Did he offer the collateral or did you ask him?
No, I did not ask him. He offered. It was being discussed.
Was Yousuf taken into another room in your house by your security people?
No, he was not. As with everybody else, he was in the waiting room. And from the waiting room I called him.
Was Yusuf unwell when he left your house?
Neither did he show any signs of being unwell nor did he complain. I would have ensured that he was taken to hospital. Which is exactly what the Crime Branch people did.
What is your reaction to what the witness Reshi said — that Yusuf was vomiting blood and was unwell when he left your house?
Look, if he had vomited, don't you think it would have come up in the autopsy report. The post-mortem has been done and the preliminary report has come, though the final report is awaited. Would there not be signs of blood on his clothes when the post-mortem was conducted, or an indication in the preliminary report? On the one hand you have the account of one person [Reshi] and on the other you have physical evidence in the form of the preliminary autopsy report. Would there not be details in the admission chart or would not the doctors have mentioned it?
Reshi also claims he told you about the money issue back in July. Is that true?
He mentioned it to me. To be honest, when he mentioned it, it was in passing and I had promised him I will see what I could do. But because of so many other things, governance issues and running the State, to be honest, it slipped out of my mind. It is only after a second person came to me that I remembered Salam Reshi's complaint and so brought them together.
How far are the reports that the PDP was in touch with Reshi before he spoke to the media true?
I have heard such reports from three independent sources. Not only that it [PDP] was in touch with Reshi but also who was in touch.
Is it official?
I will obviously seek to confirm this but will share it with the CoI.
Reshi has made so many allegations about the family. He says Yousuf, in your presence, said that let Farooq Abdullah come back first, then we will settle the issue of money. Is it true?
I haven't heard or seen Reshi's account. I have seen what gets said and printed. There is a discrepancy. All I know is that whatever money Yousuf collected, he kept it with himself. It was a case of corruption. If I or my father had taken the money, why would I call these people and why would I hand over the matter to the Crime Branch? Having handed over the matter to them and with Yousuf dying there, why would I order a judicial inquiry?
I was not under any obligation and I am still not under obligation to do it. So many governments have faced serious allegations but they did not bother to hold an inquiry.
When will the judicial inquiry start? What have you done to expedite the process?
As soon as possible. Left to me, it would have started. We are following the procedure. We are working on it.
Why were your security officers transferred the same day?
They were not transferred the same day but before that. That is not related to this matter.
Is it true that Rahul Gandhi declined to have dinner with you when he was here, preferring to have breakfast, because of this controversy?
How could he decline when I was not here? I was in Singapore and came in that morning only. And he was flying to Jammu, so we decided to have breakfast.
Did you have any inkling of corruption and bribe-giving happening in your State to this level? Now that you know, what steps do you plan to correct it?
One has heard of corruption. The fact that it is at this level and magnitude and brazenness — I never expected it. Hopefully, we are wiser now. There will always be people who will sell their proximity for favours and money. It is not unique to Jammu and Kashmir. One would discourage it completely but we need to be among people. When we are not, you call us aloof. We interact with them and then there is this problem.
What about a Lokayukta for J&K along the tough lines suggested by the Jan Lokpal Bill?
We have the State Accountability Commission. Unlike other Lokayuktas, the Chief Minister of J&K comes within its purview. It is manned by two judges of the High Court. The judiciary has always shown its independence.
Why has the security of the other witness, Yousuf Bhat, been increased? And why is he not allowed to talk to anyone?
No we have not … other than the fact that after Reshi claimed his life was in danger, we would not definitely want anything to happen to him. People would allege that it was to silence him. It is in my best interest that he remains hale and hearty and safe so that he can provide the truth to the CoI. No one has stopped him from meeting people. If he chooses not to meet people, it is his choice.
Is the State government tapping the phones of political leaders and mediapersons?
No, absolutely not. I am not in the business of tapping phones. If I were, I would be able to play back conversations [of] what these people were up to. I have no interest in knowing what is going on in their lives.
