To record the statements pertaining to the arrest of journalist, Asif Sultan, the court on Saturday sought the presence of former Station House Officer (SHO) and Head Constable Police station Batamaloo on 11 June.

After the police officers today failed to turn up in the hearing, the court gave such direction.

Mr. Sultan, who was working as Assistant Editor at Kashmir Narrator, a monthly magazine, was picked up during a nocturnal raid in August 2018. Police have accused him in ‘criminal conspiracy’ and ‘harboring militants.’

Ahead of his detention, Committee to Protect Journalists, and several international journalistic and human rights bodies including IFJ, RSF and Amnesty International have condemned his arrest and demanded his release.