- Police won’t spare anybody involved in crime: DGP
- Evidence against accused collected: IG Crime
While there is an immense outrage over rape and murder of a minor girl in Kathua, any protest favouring the perpetrators of the heinous crime is not going to deter the investigation by Crime Branch (CB) of police, a top officer said.
A top officer of Crime Branch said any protest in defence of those, who have been held for committing the crime, is not going to change anything related to the case.
On possibility of more protests by righting Hindu Ekta Munch (HEM) in support of the accused, he said, “What will happen? There will be a law and order problem. The protest is not going to affect the case. The protests by HEM won’t deter us”.
On February 16, HEM activists along with BJP state secretary took out a rally in Kathua in which people waved tri-colour and demanded release of SPOs arrested by police for their involvement in the crime.
The protestors demanded that the case be handed over to CBI.
The photographs showing some policemen walking alongwith HEM protestors has gone viral on social media.
Director General of Police, Shesh Paul Vaid told Kashmir Post that police won’t spare anyone involved in crime.
“We will not leave anybody who is involved in the crime,” he said.
On policemen walking along with HEM activists, Vaid said, “Police is not escorting anyone. When people take protest, police has to walk along otherwise vested elements may create trouble.”
HEM protest in support of accused evoked massive criticism on social media.
Even Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti slammed the protest.
On Thursday, civil society groups, youth and joint separatist leadership in Kashmir held separate protests in solidarity with Asifa and demanded hanging of culprits.
8-year-old Asifa R/o Rasana village of Kathua was kidnapped from her home on January 10. Her body with torture marks was recovered on January 17.
It came to fore during the police investigation that she was raped before being murdered.
The incident triggered outrage across the state and uproar in the state assembly.
The investigation of the case has been handed over to Crime Branch.
The Crime Branch has detained two Special Police Officers (SPOs) Deepak Khajuria and SurinderVerma and a juvenile for their involvement in the crime.
Khajuria was part of the police team, which was tasked to search Asifa after she went missing.
Reports said SIT has collected strong evidence against the arrested trio.
Inspector General of Police crime, AlokPuri, who was promoted to the rank of Additional Director General of Police and is soon going to superannuate, said the evidence against the arrested persons has been collected.
“Evidence has been collected and we have given the report to the High Court,” he said.
A senior police officer said the CB would proceed with investigations based on evidence.
The CB is waiting for report from Forensic Science laboratory (FSL). The report may likely take 15 more days.
“We are firm in the investigation. As and when we get FSL report, we will proceed further. Nothing will deter us,” said the police officer.
He said the Crime Branch was moving towards the “right direction” into the case.
#JusticeForAsifa
