Hindu Ekta Manch seeks CBI probe, fails to get audience with Mehbooba
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today did not meet a delegation of the Hindu Ekta Manch (HEM) from Hiranagar which had come to her with a request for a CBI probe into the alleged rape and murder of an eight-year-old tribal girl in Rasana village of Kathua district.
The CM, however, made it clear that “the probe would be transparent and fair” to ensure that the culprits got exemplary punishment for the heinous crime.
In view of the simmering anger among locals over the “lopsided and biased” investigation into the case, the Kathua district administration today imposed Section 144 of the CrPC in the jurisdiction of Hiranagar subdivision, debarring the assembly of four or more persons for a period of one month.
“I met the CM and discussed the issue relating to the alleged murder of the minor girl in the area. Some members from Hindu Ekta Manch were supposed to accompany me but they reached late and could not meet the CM,” said Kuldeep Raj, BJP MLA from Hiranagar.
“We were late by 10 minutes. Out of our nine-member delegation, the entry of only three members was allowed in the Chief Minister’s secretariat but she refused to meet us for reasons best known to her,” said Kant Kumar, former sarpanch of Kootah panchayat and HEM leader.
The MLA, however, said the CM had assured him that that the Crime Branch investigation was being conducted under the supervision of Additional Director General-level officer. “Given the sensitivity of the matter, I did not ask for a CBI probe into the incident,” he said.
The body of an eight-year-old tribal girl was found from the forest area in Rasana village of Kathua on January 17, leading to chaos in theAssembly. The government ordered the constitution of a Special Investigating Team and a magisterial probe into the case.
Later, the HEM delegation met the DGPSP Vaid, who also promised an “impartial and fair” investigation.
“The BJP has totally disassociated itself from the issue and we don’t expect much from it. The way the Crime Branch has conducted the lopsided probe so far, people have lost faith in it. We want justice for the girl and her family. Give exemplary punishment to the real culprits whosoever they are; no innocent should be made a scapegoat. We will hold a meeting tomorrow to chalk out the future course of action,” Kumar said.
