Threatened by Jammu Bar chief, says Kathua rape and murder victim’s lawyer

SRINAGAR: The lawyer pursuing the case of the minor gang rape-cum-murder victim accused Jammu Bar Association president B S Slathia of harassment and also sought protection. Slathia, however, refuted the charges saying it was all about ‘media publicity’. Lawyer Deepika Thusoo Singh told TNIE that the victim’s family members fled as they were under threat. “They are safe but not at their home.”

Deepika has filed a petition in the J&K High Court seeking court monitoring of the probe. Her pursuing the case, according to the lawyer, has not gone well with Slathia, who has been campaigning for handing over the investigation of the case to the CBI for a fair probe.

“Slathia threatened me and used abusive language.  I have been alienated by these forces in the court. They see me with bad eyes,” Deepika said, adding that she was facing ‘hostile atmosphere’ in the court.

The woman lawyer alleged she was expelled from the Jammu Bar Association in 2012-13 for supporting the parents of another minor rape victim. “Slathia tried to stop me from pursuing the case. He is again doing the same by trying to stop me from pursuing the case of the Kathua girl,” the lawyer said, adding that she was being labelled as ‘anti-national’ and ‘anti-Jammu’.

Deepika said she has approached the High Court with a complaint against Slathia.

“The court has issued direction to the security wing of the J&K Police to ensure that I remain safe.”

But, Slathia said the complaint was just to get ‘media publicity’. “It is not based on facts. We have not stopped anybody from pursuing any case,” he said, adding that nobody has stopped the lawyer from doing her work.

The Jammu Bar Association would hold a candle-light march on Saturday to pay homage to the victim and demand compensation for her family, he added.