Jammu and Kashmir National Conference legislator Altaf Ahmad, popularly known as Altaf Kaloo, has denied allegations that he assaulted a police personnel deployed as his personal security officer (PSO). He instead claimed that the officer grabbed him by the neck during an argument over alleged absence from duty.
Police have registered a case against Kaloo, the MLA from Pahalgam, and National Conference additional spokesperson Umesh Talashi at Anantnag Police Station under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), based on a written complaint by the police personnel.
In a statement responding to the allegations, Kaloo described the accusations against him as baseless and said the incident occurred when he returned to Khanabal Housing Colony after a constituency tour.
The MLA alleged that the security officer, identified as Shabir Ahmad, had been absent from duty for three days and had failed to respond to repeated calls asking him to report for duty.
Kaloo said he had informed the SSP Security about the official’s alleged absence and shared the personnel’s belt number with the officer.
According to the MLA, the security personnel confronted him upon his arrival at the housing colony and spoke rudely when questioned about his absence. Kaloo alleged that the official subsequently grabbed him by the neck.
He said he contacted the SSP Security and the police control room following the incident, after which police and security officials arrived at the scene.
Kaloo said statements from him, his cook and other personnel present at the time had been recorded by the authorities. He urged police to examine the statements and other evidence before taking further action.
The MLA also said the officer’s AK-47 rifle and two magazines were handed over to police personnel at Khanabal following the incident.
“I have a request. Whatever action is warranted under the BNS should be taken, but the incident should first be verified,” Kaloo said, adding that he had also provided a statement to the authorities.
He further said he intended to file a counter-complaint against the security personnel.
Police have said the investigation is underway and that further legal action would depend on verification of the allegations, statements from those concerned and other available evidence.
The allegations made by both sides have not been independently verified.
