Ex-revenue official surrenders after police arrest son

SOURCES IN THE CRIME BRANCH MAINTAIN THAT SANJI RAM IS ONE OF THE ALLEGED CONSPIRATORS IN THE INFAMOUS CASE

JAMMU: A former revenue official surrendered before police in the infamous Kathua rape-murder case on Tuesday following his son’s arrest in Meerut on Monday.

Director general of police (DGP) SP Vaid said, “The former official surrendered today (Tuesday). His son was arrested from Meerut on Monday.”

When asked if the accused has confessed to his crime, the DGP only said, “He is being questioned.”

The former revenue official and his son have been identified as Sanji Ram, 60, and Vishal respectively.

Sources in the crime branch maintain that Sanji Ram is one of the alleged ‘conspirators’ of the heinous rape and murder of the eight-year-old nomadic girl in Kathua district.

Sanji Ram had been allegedly evading arrest but surrendered on Tuesday following the arrest of his son from Meerut.

However, Sanji’s wife has said that her son was pursuing studies in Meerut and she has no clue why the police have arrested him. She also alleged that the police misbehaved with her and other people, who had gone to inquire about Vishal and Sanji Ram.

She insisted upon a CBI probe to ensure a fair investigation.

“Why is the government not ordering a CBI probe? Why has it turned a blind eye towards the poor,” she asked while talking to media persons.

The ghastly crime against the minor girl had sent shockwaves across the state.

It may be stated here that Hindu Ekta Manch, an NGO backed by BJP, had been spearheading an agitation demanding CBI probe.

Two BJP ministers Chander Prakash Ganga and Lal Singh had also met the agitating people and had endorsed the demand of the people.

Even Union minister Jitendra Singh had said that going by the sentiment of the people, there was no harm in having a CBI probe.

In March, chief minister Mehbooba Mufti rejected the demand for a CBI inquiry, saying the crime branch had already completed “over 95% of the investigation”.

The minor, aged eight, from a nomadic tribe, was allegedly raped and murdered in Rassana village in Hiranagar tehsil. She had gone missing from her house on January 10 and her dead body was found from a cowshed in Rassana on January 17.

Two SPOs and a 15-year-old boy were among the first to land in the police net. Thereafter, a sub-inspector and a head constable were also arrested for tampering with the evidence.