The trial of the horrendous and preposterous case that took place with an 8-year-old in Kathua has been postponed by the session court until 28th April. Reportedly, the Chief Judicial Magistrate has directed the prosecution to provide charge sheet copies to the eight men accused of the crime.
Meanwhile, the victim’s father approached the Supreme Court, seeking safety and transfer of the case outside Jammu & Kashmir. The apex court agreed to hear the plea at 2 pm today, whereby Senior Counsel Indira Jaising will be appearing before the court on behalf of victim’s father. The victim’s family wishes to move the case to Chandigarh. Another plea has been filed by Delhi-based lawyer Anuja Kapur, seeking the transfer of the case from Kathua trail court to a local court in Delhi.
Crowd Protesting against the heinous crime and demanding justice
Considering the sensitivity of the case and the communal angle involved, J&K government appointed two special public prosecutors to ensure neutrality. As the lawyer of the accused said that he wasn’t given a copy of the 490-page charge sheet, the court asked the prosecution to do the needful and announced the next hearing date on 28th April.
Interestingly, all 8 men accused in the case have pleaded ‘not guilty’. The main accused Sanji Ram also said that everything will be clear after the Narco test. Meanwhile, the juvenile, who is one of the 8 accused, moved a bail application before the judicial magistrate. The court is yet to hear his bail plea which is likely to be done later Today.
The rape and murder case of the 8-year old girl has sparked rage and anger across the country. Several people in Mumbai gathered for the peaceful and apolitical protest, demanding justice for the innocent girl on Sunday evening. Moreover, Delhi Commission for Women Chairperson Swati Maliwal is continuing with her hunger strike that she started on April 13, demanding death penalty for all the accused.
