Family of Kathua rape victim drops lawyer for ‘lack of court appearance’

The family of the eight-year-old girl who was raped and murdered in Kathua has removed lawyer Deepika Rajawat as their advocate on record, saying she seldom appeared for hearings in the case, officials informed Thursday.

The plea was moved Wednesday by the family before the court of district and sessions judge here which is hearing the case day-today following directions from the Supreme Court.

The court has issued notice to Rajawat, asking her to respond to the plea moved by her clients by November 20, officials said.

The father of the victim, who was identified and produced before the judge by advocate Mubeen Farooky, informed the court that he was withdrawing the agreement given in favour of Rajawat as she seldom appeared during the daily hearings which have been going on for the last five months. The victim is already being represented by the state. The case is being argued by two lawyers from the state and Pathankot District Attorney Jagdishwar Kumar Chopra.

The eight-year-old girl was allegedly kidnapped on January 10 and her body was found on January 17. It is alleged that she was gang-raped and murdered. Eight people, including a juvenile, have been arrested.

Charge sheet has been filed against main accused Sanji Ram, his juvenile nephew, his son Vishal, special police officers Deepak Khajuria and Surender Verma and friend Parvesh Kumar alias Mannu. It also names head constable Tilak Raj and sub-inspector Anand Dutta — who allegedly took ~4 lakh from Sanji Ram and destroyed crucial evidence.

PATHANKOT: THE COURT HAS ISSUED NOTICE TO THE ADVOCATE, ASKING HER TO RESPOND TO THE PLEA MOVED BY HER CLIENTS BY NOV 20