Lawyer fighting for Kathua victim 'attacked by goons'
A lawyer fighting for the Kathua rape and murder victim on Saturday alleged that he had been attacked by goons in Udhampur town. Talib Hussain, a local lawyer has been in the forefront of seeking justice for the victim for the last two months. Hussain also opposed vehemently the demand of Jammu lawyers for transfer of the investigations in this case to the CBI. Police said that they have taken cognizance of Hussain's complaint and started investigations.
The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who also holds the Home portfolio, on Saturday terminated the services of four policemen accused in the rape and murder of a minor in Kathua district. The CM also wrote to the Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, seeking a fast-track court to conclude within 90 days the trial in the case that has caused a
nation-wide outrage, official sources said here. Informed sources said the state government terminated the services of a sub-inspector, a head constable and two Special Police Officers (SPOs) accused in the crime. Union Minister Maneka Gandhi on Saturday said, "My ministry will seek an amendment to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for death penalty to convicts of rape of minors below 12 years," she said. Echoing these views, veteran actor and BJP MP Hema Malini taking to Twitter, said, "Daily newspaper reports of rape happening in every part of our country! Kathua, Unnao are (nothing) but two of the long list of shame. Can these mindless rapists even be classified as human beings? They are beasts on the rampage and should be hanged to death for their heinous crimes. There should be a national uprising with strong support from media, against these animals who don't spare even babies and toddlers!”
In a related development, BJP leader Choudhary Lal Singh on Saturday defended his participation in a rally supporting the accused in the Kathua rape and killing case, saying that it was meant to defuse the situation and restore normalcy. Also, BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav on Saturday had said that there was no threat to the ruling PDP-BJP coalition in Jammu and Kashmir as both parties were working in coordination. "We will speak to our party legislature and also to the two ministers who have submitted their resignations," Madhav, who is also the BJP in-charge for Jammu and Kashmir, said.