BJP raises doubts over fairness of SIT probe

JAMMU: Partner in the coalition government of Jammu and Kashmir, Bharatiya Janata Party, on Saturday, raised serious questions over the probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in the infamous Kathua ‘rape’ and murder case of a minor nomadic girl saying ‘one of the members of the SIT was himself involved in a twin murder and rape case of Hindu boy and a girl’.

Addressing mediapersons here, BJP spokesperson Sunil RP Sethi said, “Irfan Wani, Karara police post in-charge at the Thathri police station was arrested in 2007 for the murder of a boy and alleged rape of a girl during illegal custody”.

“How can a person of such a character and antecedents be associated with the present investigation? Isn’t it likely to raise doubts about the fairness of the investigation?” he said.

Since the Kathua case is subjudice, Sethi said that no intervention at this stage is warranted except legal remedies.

It may be stated here that the people of Rassana, Hiranagar, Kathua and Samba belts in the region have been demanding a CBI probe to ensure a fair trial.

Sethi also said, “BJP is seriously concerned about all the burning local issues and is committed to their early resolution.

He, however, was quick to add that the BJP supported the issues raised by the advocates and members of the civil society except for the Kathua case since it was subjudice.

JAMMU LAWYERS TO ABSTAIN FROM WORK ON APRIL 9

JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association on Saturday decided to abstain from work in all the courts, tribunals, revenue courts, commissions, including high court, on April 9.

The Bar has been on strike since Wednesday to protest against the raw deal meted out to the Jammu region by the present dispensation of the PDP and BJP and meek surrender by the latter to all the issues of the region.

The Bar that held parleys with various organisations of the civil society also unanimously proposed to hold a complete Jammu Bandh and “Chakka Jam” on April 11 “to awake the government from its deep slumber”.

Unless and until the issues pertaining to withdrawal of minutes of the meeting of tribal affairs department, CBI probe in Kathua murder case and deportation of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis from Jammu region were resolved, the agitation will go on, Bar Association president BS Slathia said.