Stir for CBI probe not communal: Lawyers

JAMMU: The Bar Association of Jammu (BAJ) on Thursday said their agitation for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Kathua rape and murder case was being portrayed as communal by those with a “Kashmir-centric mindset”.

“Lawyers of Jammu are being maligned in order to divide the state on communal lines. All we have been saying is that the investigation of the case be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation . Does anyone say that the CBI is com-

Lawyers of Jammu are being maligned in order to divide the state on communal lines. All we have been saying is that the investigation be transferred to the CBI. Does anyone say that the CBI is communal?

BS SLATHIA, Bar Association of Jammu president

munal?” association president BS Slathia said.

Reiterating that they wanted justice for the eight-year-oldvictim , the lawyers’ association said that the probe by the crime branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police was marred by threats and coercion from a team of Kashmir-based officers, including one who served a jail term for alleged rape and murder of a minor.

“The officer in question has faced murder and rape allegations in the past. We have said the association of this officer with the investigation process has put a question mark on the probe,” Slathia said.

JAMMU STILL TENSE

A day after a bandh called by the Jammu High Court Bar Association (JHCBA), the city continued to wear a deserted look with major shopping areas and trading markets remaining closed.

Jammu has been tense since the Kathua case came to light. The police have arrested eight people in the case, but the Bar association has opposed the action alleging “targeting of minority Dogras”. Some of the accused belonged to Hindu Ekta Manch, a right-wing group. On April 9, some lawyers had tried to prevent police from filing a charge sheet in the case .