Kathua Rape Case: Supreme Court Transfers Case From Jammu to Pathankot, Orders Fast-Track Hearing
The court also ruled out a CBI inquiry into the matter, as demanded by the counsel appearing for the accused.
New Delhi, May 7: The Supreme Court on Monday transferred the hearing of the case involving the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua to Pathankot from Jammu. The court also directed the Pathankot district court to conduct fast-track hearings, without any adjournments.
The counsel on behalf of victim's parents, Indira Jaising, urged the bench to shift the case out of Jammu, as the Jammu Bar Association has openly sided with the prime accused held in the case.
The bench led by Chief Justice of India Deepak Misra said it is compelled to transfer of case as there is a possibility that the trial in Jammu may not be conducted in a free and fair manner.
The court also ruled out a CBI inquiry into the matter, as demanded by the counsel appearing for the accused.
The CJI, apart from ordering the Pathankot district court to conduct the hearings on day-to-day basis, said the apex court would be constantly monitoring the trial.
The Supreme Court also directed the Jammu & Kashmir government to arrange for all expenses which would be incurred for conducting the trials in Pathankot. The state government will also bear the commutation and food charges of all the witnesses, the bench added.
The documents pertaining to the case, some of which have been filed in Urdu - the state language of J&K - must be translated in Hindi for the convenience of the Pathankot court bench, the SC said.
The rape case, which shook the conscience of the nation, dates back to January when the minor belonging to the Muslim Bakerwal community was gangraped for eight days, before being bludgeoned to death.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 07, 2018 03:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).