New Delhi, May 7: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the plea made by the counsel of accused in Kathua rape-murder case, seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation. The court, relying on the investigation conducted so far by the Jammu & Kashmir Crime Branch, said there is no necessity to handover the case to the CBI.

The accused, along with the Jammu Bar Association and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had been seeking the transfer of case to the CBI. The state government, however, had objected to the demand, claiming the victim's kin were satisfied with the investigation conducted by the Crime Branch.

Appearing before the apex court on behalf of the victim's father, senior SC lawyer Indira Jaising said the bereaved family is not in favour of the CBI taking over the case.

The top court also ordered the transfer of case from Jammu to Pathankot, citing the alleged threats received by the victim's lawyer Deepika S Rajawat, along with the attempt by the Jammu Bar Association to prevent the filing of chargesheet in the case.

The bench led by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said the trail would be conducted on fast-track mode by the Pathankot court, without any adjournments. The SC would also be constantly monitoring the case, he added.

The bench also ordered the Jammu & Kashmir government to appoint its own public prosecutor in the Pathankot court. The state government will also have to bear the charges to be inducted for the commutation of witnesses.

The hearing in Pathankot cout will begin on July 9. The SC has also directed the J&K government to escalate the security provided to the victim's kin and their lawyer.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 07, 2018 04:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).