New Delhi, Mar 5: The Supreme Court on Monday ordered the Jammu & Kashmir government to halt the ongoing probe against the Army's 10 Garhwal Rifles unit for allegedly "murdering three civilians" in South Kashmir's Shopian district in January this year.

The court's order came while hearing a petition filed by Lt Col (retd) Karamveer Singh, a Kargil war veteran, seeking the dismissal of FIR filed by the J&K government against his son Major Aditya Kumar, who was allegedly leading the Army convoy which fired upon the civilian mob in Shopian's Gaunpara on Jan 27.

"Let the matter be listed for final disposal on April 24. In the meantime, there shall be no investigation on the basis of FIR till then," said the bench headed by Chief Justice of India Deepak Misra.

Sounding critical of the state government's handling of the matter, the court reportedly observed, "It is a case of an Army officer, not an ordinary criminal." The J&K government's counsel was quick to respond, saying, "This does not gives him the license to kill."

Meanwhile, the J&K government clarified to the bench that Major Aditya has not been explicitly named in the FIR. The investigation is being conducted against the 10 Garhwal Rifles unit for allegedly resorting to the "excessive use of force".

The court sought to know whether Major Aditya would not be explicitly named at the later stage of the probe. To this, the J&K government could not commit, saying it would depend upon the findings of the investigation.

The Centre, meanwhile, contended that the state government's move to press an FIR against a serving Army personnel is "illegal" as it requires the permission of the central government to book a military officer, since the Armed Forces Special Powers Act is in place in J&K.

The J&K government's counsel, however, disagreed, saying, the state did not need permission to probe an allegation.

The Shopian firing row has pitted the ruling alliance partners PDP and BJP against each other. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, under immense public pressure, has assured action against the Army personnel "responsible" for the death of the three civilians.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 05, 2018 05:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).