Seeking state’s reply on the plea filed for transferring Kathua gangrape case trial to Chandigarh, the Supreme Court on April 16 has directed the state police to provide complete security to victim’s kin, lawyers (Deepika Rajawat and Talib Hussain) and also at the observation home where juvenile (against whom a separate charge sheet was filed) is kept in connection with raping and murdering an eight-year-old girl.
“As an interim measure, it is directed that the Jammu and Kashmir Police to beef up the security and provide adequate security personnel to the family, Deepika Singh Rajawat and family friend Talid Hussain,” the bench said.
The plea was filed by victim’s father, who demanded transfer of the case out of Jammu.
During the trial today all the eight accused, including a juvenile, pleaded not guilty and have asked the judge for a narco-analysis test. Among the eight accused Sanji Ram is the prime accused, his nephew a juvenile, Deepak Khajuria, Parvesh Kumar, Vishal Jangotra, Tilak Raj, Anand Dutta, Surinder Kumar all were produced before Sanjay Gupta, District and Sessions Judge. Chief judicial magistrate will hold the juvenile’s trial as it is the designated court under the juvenile act.
Indira Jaisingh, advocate appearing for the family said that the atmosphere is highly polarized and not conducive for a fair trial.
There is an attempt to derail it, she added.
“Today, I don’t know, I am not in my senses. I can be raped. I can be killed and may be they won’t allow me to practice in court,” said Advocate Rajawat.
The victim’s father has expressed satisfaction over the investigations conducted by the state police so far and opposed the plea for a CBI probe as sought by others.
Farooq Abdullah, National Conference president has sought capital punishment in Kathua rape-murder case and also demanded a special session of state Assembly for enacting a law for capital punishment in such heinous crimes.
