Kathua rape-case: Chargesheet filed against 7, amid protests by lawyers
The Jammu and Kashmir Police filed a chargesheet in rape and murder of 8-year-old, three months ago, in Kathua, against seven accused including police officers. The lawyers, on Monday, tried stopping the Crime Branch from filing a chargesheet at the Chief Judicial Magistrate's court. They demanded a CBI probe into it, and alleged police of biased investigation.
Chargesheet filed against seven, including police officials
Reportedly, lawyers stopped the Crime Branch officials from entering the court premises. Only after police enforcement was called, did the officials manage to enter the court. Director General of J&K police Dr. Shesh Paul Vaid said, "From our side, the Crime branch has filed chargesheet against seven accused. The chargesheet against the juvenile will be filed tomorrow (Tuesday)."
Lawyers demand CBI investigation, calls Crime Branch biased
BAR association, Kathua, said the agitation will continue whilst adding the BAR will work under suspension until April 12. Along with other civil society members, the lawyers have called for a bandh in Jammu on April 11 to pressurize the government to transfer the case to CBI. According to them, the police is using wrong methods to extract information from accused.
Accused being tortured by police, say lawyers
President of Bar Council Of Jammu, BS Salathia said, "Those, who have been arrested, are being beaten, harassed mentally and physically, to force them to give wrong statements. They are trying to concoct a false story for the communal divide."
The horrific rape-murder which made humanity weep
Forensic reports suggested an 8-year-old tribal girl was sedated and repeatedly raped in a local temple in Kathua. Belonging to Bakherwal community, her body was found in Rassana forest on January 17. The heinous crime is said to be masterminded by Sanji Ram, a retired revenue official, to drive the tribals out of the area. Communal tensions shot up in Jammu after the incident.
