Protection for rape victim’s kin ordered

KATHUA RAPE VICTIM’S FATHER SEEKS TRANSFER OF TRIAL TO CHANDIGARH

Apex court also takes note of a plea of father seeking transfer of trial of the case from Kathua to Chandigarh |

The Supreme Court directed the Jammu and Kashmir government yesterday to provide security to the family of the eight-yearold Kathua gang rape and murder victim, their lawyer and a family friend assisting them in prosecuting the case.

The apex court also took note of a plea of the victim’s father seeking transfer of the trial of the case from Kathua, preferably to Chandigarh and sought response of the state government.

During the hearing, the victim’s father expressed satisfaction with the probe so far, conducted by Jammu and Kashmir Police and opposed the plea for CBI investigation demanded by others.

“Be that as it may, we do not intend to enter into this sphere [transfer of case to CBI] at this stage,” a bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices A M Khanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud said.

The bench also took note of the apprehension with regard to the security and asked the state to provide adequate security personnel, in plain clothes to the victim’s family, their lawyer Deepika Singh Rajawat and family friend Talib Hussain.

“As an interim measure, it is directed that the Jammu and Kashmir Police to beef up the security and provide adequate security personnel to the family, Deepika Singh Rajawat and family friend Talib Hussain,” the bench said.