Kathua rape and murder case: Crime Branch files charge sheet against seven of eight accused 

KATHUA/JAMMU: The Crime Branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday filed a chargesheet against the accused in the rape and murder of an eight-year-old Muslim nomad girl in Kathua, but only after high drama and efforts by lawyers to prevent the police team from entering the court.

DGP S P Vaid said though there were some issues, the Crime Branch handled them and filed the chargsheet.  

The police filed charges against seven accused, including two Special Police Officers, two policemen and a former revenue official, while charges against a juvenile accused will be filed separately.

Earlier, there was high drama in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate of Kathua when lawyers prevented the police from submitting the chargesheet.The lawyers started sloganeering and encircled the police to prevent them from taking the accused to the court. Sources said the drama continued for about one-and-a-half hours.  

“They (accused) were kept in a police vehicle and surrounded by the Crime Branch officers. Reinforcement was rushed to maintain law and order and allow the Crime Branch to present the charge sheet in the case,” a source said.

Only after the police contingent reached the spot that the Crime Branch team could take the accused inside the court. 

The chargesheet was filed after DNA test confirmed that the minor girl was held captive at a religious place before being raped and strangulated. 

The nomad Muslim minor had gone missing from her home in Rasana village in Kathua district on January 10. A week later, her body with torture marks was recovered. 

After the police arrested the accused, lawyers and traders of the area formed Hindu Ekta Manch, led by advocate Vijay Sharma, which has been demanding their release and handing over of the case to CBI.
Sharma told Express they would formulate the future strategy on Tuesday.

“We don’t trust the Crime Branch. We will seek a CBI probe,” Sharma said, accusing the police of being biased and targeting the Hindu community.

NC leader Omar Abdullah lashed out at the lawyers. “Shame on them and their political masters,” he tweeted.