The CM, heading a PDP-BJP coalition government, met PM Modi Monday, amid protests in the state over allegations that the crime branch probe was biased and demands for a CBI probe.
New Delhi: Jammu & Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi of a fair investigation in the alleged Kathua rape and murder, expressing confidence in the state crime branch which is handling the case even as some BJP leaders in the state have sought a CBI probe.
Mehbooba, heading a PDP-BJP coalition government, met PM Modi Monday, amid protests in the state over allegations that the crime branch probe was biased.
The protesters, who have sought a CBI probe, include two BJP ministers of the state government, Chander Parkash Ganga and Lal Singh. Also at the forefront, PTI reported, is the Jammu bar association, which called a Jammu bandh Wednesday, alleging the Dogra minority was being unfairly targeted in the crime branch investigation.
The case stems from the alleged abduction, gang rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl from the nomadic Bakerwal community in a village named Rasana. Police have alleged the crime was part of a conspiracy to drive the Bakerwals out. So far, seven men have been arrested and a juvenile detained for the crime. All the suspects are Hindus, which is why the case has taken on communal colours.
Mehbooba’s assurance
The Kathua case is only one of the recent sources of discord between the BJP and the PDP, putting the alliance on shaky footing.
A delegation from the BJP’s J&K unit had met CM Mehbooba recently and told her that only a CBI inquiry could placate protesters. While Mehbooba is yet to comment on the crime branch chargesheet, submitted in court Monday, she discussed the case at length with the PM.
The portfolio of personnel, pension and public grievances lies with Modi, putting the CBI in his jurisdiction.
“She… assured (the PM) that the crime branch is investigating the case fairly,” a source privy to the meeting told The Print.
She also met home minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi Wednesday, after which she returned to Srinagar following fresh civilian deaths in an encounter in Kulgam, south Kashmir.
Lawyers booked
When personnel of the Jammu & Kashmir crime branch arrived at the Kathua chief judicial magistrate’s court to file their chargesheet Monday, members of the local bar association tried to stop them from doing so. Consequently, police filed an FIR against a group of lawyers Tuesday.
The incident involving the lawyers as well as the presence of BJP leaders at the protests has drawn sharp reactions from the state opposition.
“While appreciating action by @JmuKmrPolice against the Kathua mob masquerading as lawyers let’s not forget the mob were emboldened by the actions/words of two BJP ministers in @MehboobaMufti’s cabinet. What about action against them?” former CM Omar Abdullah of the National Conference tweeted.
While appreciating action by @JmuKmrPolice against the Kathua mob masquerading as lawyers let’s not forget the mob were emboldened by the actions/words of two BJP ministers in @MehboobaMufti’s cabinet. What about action against them?
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 10, 2018
National Conference general secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar told reporters in Srinagar that it was “unheard of in the history of the country that white-collar professionals came out in support of those accused of a heinous crime”.
Jammu & Kashmir Congress chief G.A. Mir described the lawyers’ bid to prevent the filing of the chargesheet as “politically motivated”.
An open and shut case. What remains for the CBI to investigate ?