Bandipora rape case: J&K Police await forensic report

SUMBAL SUBDIVISIONAL MAGISTRATE URGES PEOPLE NOT TO TRUST A FAKE BIRTH CERTIFICATE WHICH IS BEING CIRCULATED ON SOCIAL MEDIA STATING THAT THE ACCUSED IS A MINOR

SRINAGAR: As there is no let up in protests being held against the alleged rape of three-year-old girl in Sumbal, J&K Police are still awaiting the forensic report.

Bandipora superintendent of police (SP) Rahul Malik said statements have been recorded and they are now awaiting report from the forensic science laboratory (FSL).

Sources in the administration said they were expecting the forensic reports by Friday. “Only after reports are received, the case will be taken forward,” said a senior official, seeking anonymity.

The J&K high court had on Wednesday asked the police to file a status report of the ongoing investigation.

The court has directed Kashmir IGP SP Pani to file the report on the probe by Friday while taking suo motu cognisance of the case.

The order was passed by a division bench comprising chief justice Gita Mittal and justice Tashi Rabstan. The government has already constituted a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the matter.

A senior police officer privy to investigations said only after the forensic report they would be able to move ahead in the case.

“In the initial examination of the girl, signs of physical assault were visible on her body,” he added.

Jammu and Kashmir governor Satya Pal Malik had on Monday sought exemplary punishment to whoever raped the minor.

The case has also been trending on the social media with people across the country expressing their anger.

Former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, separatist leaders as well as a number of social, religious and political groups have expressed shock over the incident.

Sumbal subdivisional magistrate Syed Shahnawaz Bukhari said a fake birth certificate was being circulated on social media insinuating that the criminal involved in the rape case was a minor.

“This is completely baseless and people are requested not to pay any heed to such rumours. He is in police custody and speedy investigations are underway. Challan will be produced in the court of law under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act just as medical and forensic reports are complete,” he said.