Kathua rape and murder case updates: Two BJP MLAs, who defended accused, resign from state cabinet

Advocate ND Pachauli asks ‘how can lawyers in Jammu and Kashmir not allow chargesheet to be filed?’

One of the protesting lawyers Advocate ND Pachauli asked how can lawyers in Jammu and Kashmir not allow chargesheet to be filed when such a heinous crime has been committed.

A section of lawyers are not allowing legal action to be taken smoothly

One of the protesting lawyers, Som Dutt, said that a section of lawyers in Jammu and Kashmir is not allowing legal course to be taken smoothly in the case and it is unfair. 

Those disrupting rule of law using saffron flags should be punished: Lawyers

Lawyers protesting near the Supreme Court say that those who try to interfere with the rule of law after raising saffron flags, must be punished.

SC issued orders to authorities to protect us: Kathua case lawyer Deepika Singh Rajawat

The Supreme Court has issued directions to the authorities to provide protection to us (victim family and their counsel): Deepika S Rajawat, Counsel, #Kathua victim's family pic.twitter.com/HP4pV3uB5u

— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2018

We will ensure justice is given: BJP MLA Ravinder Raina

Meanwhile, BJP MLA Ravinder Raina said, “We will ensure that justice is given. We have full faith in the judicial system. It’s the most autonomous body and doesn’t work under anyone’s pressure.”- CNN-News 18

Shalu Nigam says lawyers who stood for the accused should be punished by the cancellation of licenses

Protesting lawyers take out silent march from Indian Law Institute to Bar Council of India in Delhi

The lawyers demand that the lawyers who stood for accused should be punished by cancellation of licenses.

SC lawyer Indira Jaisingh says ‘state police has done a good job’

Supreme Court lawyer Indira Jaising told the apex court, said, “State police had done a good job and it not only arrested all the accused persons on evidence but also on a scientific basis.” Appearing for the victim’s father, she told the Supreme Court, “The atmosphere is not conducive to a fair trial. The atmosphere is highly polarised.”- ANI

Lawyers protest outside Supreme Court over the conduct of lawyers in Jammu

#Delhi: Lawyers protest outside Supreme Court over the conduct of lawyers in Jammu in connection with #KathuaRapeCase. pic.twitter.com/qoD6uVlxSX

— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2018

SC notice to Jammu and Kashmir govt, orders security for Kathua victim’s family, lawyer

The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Jammu and Kashmir state government seeing a reply on the Kathua rape and murder case plea that was file by the victim’s father. The apex court has also ordered security to victim’s family and lawyer. The next hearing on the plea to transfer case will be on 27 April. ( Read more here. )

SC commences hearing, senior advocate Indira Jaising says situation in Jammu not fit for fair trial

As Kerala shuts down to protest incident, normal life gets derailed; several protesters taken into custody

A shutdown called by a section of social media users against the rape and murder of a girl in Jammu and Kashmir derailed normal life in parts of Kerala. Police took several protesters into custody. The worst affected districts included Kozhikode, Kannur, Malappuram, Palakkad and parts of Thiruvananthapuram. What began as a campaign in the social media on Sunday against the brutality heaped on an eight-year-old in Kathua region led to a shutdown on Monday. Angry demonstrators, some shouting anti-RSS slogans, blocked traffic and forced shops to shut. – Read more here

Chargesheet to be provided to accused on Tuesday

According to NDTV, chargesheet will be provided to the accused on Tuesday while the plea to move the case out of Jammu and Kashmir will be heard on Monday.

Chargesheet says abduction, rape carefully planned to remove nomadic community from area

The victim from a minority nomadic community was allegedly held in captivity in a small village temple in Kathua district for a week in January this year during which she was kept sedated and sexually assaulted before being bludgeoned to death. 

According to the chargesheets filed by the Crime Branch, the abduction, rape and killing of the girl was part of a carefully planned strategy to remove the nomadic community from the area. A separate chargesheet was filed for the juvenile. The counsel for the accused demanded a copy of the chargesheet filed by the Crime Branch on April 9 before the chief judicial magistrate.- PTI

Sessions Court to hear Kathua rape case on 28 April

Supreme Court to hear plea to move case out of Jammu and Kashmir at 2 pm

The victim’s father has approached the Supreme Court seeking safety, security and transfer of the case outside Jammu and Kashmir to a Chandigarh court. The Supreme Court is set to hear the matter at 2 pm. Victim’s father believes there cannot be a fair trial in Kathua.

RECAP: Eight accused in Kathua rape case produced before court today, next hearing on 28 April

The eight people accused of raping and killing an eight-year-old girl in Kathua on Monday pleaded not guilty and asked the district and sessions judge for a narco test.

As the trial in the case, which has become the focal point of outrage across the country, began in Kathua, District and Sessions Judge Sanjay Gupta asked the state Crime Branch to give copies of the chargesheet to the accused and fixed 28 April as the next date of hearing.

Jammu Bar not favouring rapists, say women lawyers, claim victim’s family had flagged unfair inquiry

After lawyer Deepika Singh Rajwat — who is fighting the case of an eight-year-old girl from Kathua who was raped and murdered — accused the Jammu High Court Bar Association president of threatening her, the Jammu Bar on Sunday sent a team of women lawyers to defend its president Bopinder Singh Salathia. The Bar had come under criticism for calling a strike against the Crime Branch of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and demanding a CBI probe into the incident.

“We are not favouring rapists, we demand justice for the victims. The dispensation of justice should not become a political football,” said Kaur, adding, “There was a writ petition filed by the victim’s family that said that the police had not launched a proper inquiry into the case.”

‘Being called anti-Hindu,’ claims lawyer Deepika Rajawat

Lawyer Deepika Rajawat, who is representing the victim’s family in the Kathua rape and murder case, said that she was being called “anti-Hindu” and facing social boycott for taking up the case, as per The Indian Express .“Today, I don’t know, I am not in my senses. I can be raped, I can be killed and may be they won’t allow me to practice in court. They (have) isolated me, I don’t know how I can survive,” the report quoted Rajawat as saying.

Victim’s relatives accuse media of ignoring Kathua rape for three months

Relatives of the victim present outside the Kathua court on Monday accused the media of ignoring extensive reportage of this heinous crime for nearly three months. – IANS

PIL asks for case transfer, additional security

According to the copy of the PIL with  Bar and Bench , the appellants have requested for the following:

• Issue appropriate write, order or direction to transfer case to a court of “competent jurisdiction” at Chandigarh.
• Adequate security in plain clothes police to victim’s family, lawyer Deepika Rajawat and Talib Hussain.
• Direct concerned authorities to strengthen security at home where accused juvenile is lodged, not let unauthorised persons meet him.
• Order a court-monitored probe. 
• Issue a stay on proceedings before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kathua

Indira Jaising to represent lawyer Deepika Rajawat as well seeking security for family

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud considered the submission advanced by senior advocate Indira Jaising, representing Deepika Rajawat and Anuja Kapur, for urgent hearing of the two petitions on Monday itself.

A plea filed by Delhi-based lawyer Anuja Kapur, seeks transfer of the sensational gangrape case from Kathua trial court to a local court in the National Capital.

Visuals of protests against Kathua, Unnao cases across the country

#India takes a stand, protests against the recent incidents of rapes in #Kathua and #Unnao, demanding justice for the victims. Photos: PTI#UnnaoCase #unnaokathua #KathuaHorror pic.twitter.com/0vJkujdC5g

— Firstpost (@firstpost) April 16, 2018

Senior lawyer Indira Jaising to appear on behalf of Kathua victim’s father in SC

The Supreme Court will hear the victim’s father’s plea to move the Kathua rape case to Chandigarh from Jammu. Senior Counsel Indira Jaising will appear on behalf of the victim’s family, reported  Live Law.

Nirbhaya’s mother says slow pace of judicial system aiding rapists

Speaking to  ANI , the 2012 Delhi gangrape victim Nirbhaya’s mother Asha Devi said that crimes like the Kathua and Unnao rape cases were taking place because the slow of the judicial system was not instilling fear in the culprits’ minds.

Accused juvenile moves bail application, matter to be heard today

The juvenile accused arrested in the Kathua rape and murder case has moved a bail application before the judicial magistrate. The matter will be heard later on Monday.

All eight accused plead ’not guilty’, demand narco test

All eight accused in Kathua rape and murder case have pleaded ’not guilty’, and asked the district and sessions judge for a narco test.

Medical checkup of DCW chief Swati Maliwal underway

Demanding the death penalty for rapists, Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal continued her indefinite hunger strike on Monday despite warnings from doctors. 

Medical checkup of Delhi Commission for Women(DCW) Chief Swati Maliwal underway, she has been on a hunger strike near Rajghat since April 13, demanding death penalty for rapists pic.twitter.com/JvcZpqPmJp

— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2018

WATCH: Accused Sanji Ram’s daughter alleges conspiracy, demands CBI probe 

Speaking to reporters, the key accused Sanji Ram’s daughter alleged there was a conspiracy and demanded a CBI probe into the case. 

#WATCH: Daughter of accused Sanji Ram alleges conspiracy in the #KathuaCase, demands CBI probe pic.twitter.com/BZd0LdPjgn

— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2018

Lawyer asks for full copy of chargesheet

“After the case was called and all accused appeared, I filed my Wakalatnama. I asked for a copy of chargesheet. There is 490-page copy and I did not receive any copy. Is this a hallmark of a fair trial?” asked one of the accused’s lawyers. 

#KathuaHorror -- After the case was called and all accused appeared, I filed my Wakalatnama. I asked for a copy of chargesheet, there is 490-page copy and I did not receive any copy. Is this a hallmark of a fair trial?: Accused lawyer, #Kathua, J&K pic.twitter.com/7PNcmCHE2C

— News18 (@CNNnews18) April 16, 2018

Accused Sanji Ram said narco test will clear out everything

According to the main accused in the Kathua rape case, Sanji Ram said that everything will be clear after Narco test.

Everything will be clear after Narco test: One of the accused in #Kathua case after hearing at District Court #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/r8L0tvEsu0

— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2018

Victim’s father asks Supreme Court to transfer case out of Jammu and Kashmir

Eight-year-old victim’s father approached the Supreme Court seeking safety, security and transfer of the case outside Jammu and Kashmir. The family will ask the apex court to let the case be heard in Chandigarh instead. The Supreme Court wil hear the matter at 2 pm, reports said.

#Kathua case victim's father approaches the Supreme Court seeking safety, security & transfer of the case outside #JammuAndKashmir; court to hear the matter at 2 pm

— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2018

Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch to hand over notices issued to Jammu, Kathua Bar Council

The crime branch will be handing over the notices issued to the Jammu Bar Council as well as Kathua Bar Council for appearing before the Supreme Court on 19 April.

WATCH: Spot where eight-year-old girl was raped and killed in Kathua

#KathuaHorror -- CNN-News18's @saahilmenghani visited every crime spot mentioned in the chargesheet - from Devisthan (where the victim was raped) to the drain (where she was killed) to the spot where her body was found and also the store from where drugs were bought. pic.twitter.com/wnXEeQYskC

— News18 (@CNNnews18) April 16, 2018

‘Full chargesheet copy not provided to us,’ claims accused constable’s lawyer

Speaking to ANI, the counsel for accused constable Tilak Raj, in the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua, said that he has not been provided with the copy of the full chargesheet. “Full chargesheet copy has not been provided to us. We are depending on information from social media. We are handicapped,” counsel Aseem Sahni said. 

Death penalty won’t solve problem, attitude towards women needs to change

The facts show that to prevent sexual crimes, we have to make large changes in our society and its treatment of women at the level of the family, writes Aakar Patel in this Firstpost article . And we need to ensure that the existing laws on reporting sexual violence are followed at the level of every police station across India. This is very, very hard work but it will ensure that the rate of reporting goes up, at least to the levels where it is in the rest of the world. After the rate of reporting goes up, the state needs to ensure that it conducts proper investigations (which need resources and cannot be done with the same force or budget) that increases the rate of convictions.

Indian students groups in Britain seek swift action in Kathua, Unnao rapes

As many as 19 Indian student and alumni groups in various British universities have written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Kathua and Unnao rape cases, seeking tough measures against the culprits before he addresses his “Bharat Ki Baat, Sabke Saath” event in London on 18 April.

“We, the Indian student and alumni community in the UK, are deeply horrified and demand immediate proceedings against the accused in both cases (Kathua and Unnao). By taking swift and strict action, please show that the Indian government’s initial silence and delayed response to these horrific crimes against humanity are not a support of the accused because the accused have some or the other link with those in power.”

“Prime Minister, you have not shied away from taking difficult decisions in the past, such as with demonetisation. Please take similar extraordinary steps to prove that India’s daughters matter,” the groups said in the letter. – IANS

Delhi lawyers to hold protest march at 3 pm today

Lawyers in New Delhi will be holding a march in protest at 3 pm on Monday against the “conduct” of lawyers of the Bar Association Jammu, who earlier had come out in support of those accused in the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua. 

The lawyers will march to the Bar Council of India and present a memorandum demanding action against the Jammu lawyers.

WATCH: Kathua rape and murder case trial to begin today

#BREAKING -- Amid nationwide outrage over #KathuaHorror, trail in #Kathua rape and murder case to begin today | @saahilmenghani with more details

READ MORE: https://t.co/qir82KDbnm pic.twitter.com/0rwkkxChOA

— News18 (@CNNnews18) April 16, 2018

RECAP: Bar Association Kathua withdraws offer to contest accused’s case for free

The Bar Association Kathua (BAK) on Saturday withdrew its offer to contest without charge the case of the eight people accused in the rape and murder case of an eight-year-old Muslim girl in the district.

“We have withdrawn our offer to contest the case free of cost. Accused are free to engage any individual advocate and exercise their respective rights of defence in the court. It is for any individual advocate to accept the brief and the bar association will not come in the way of defence nor will hamper the prosecution,” BAK president Kirty Bhushan Mahajan said. – PTI

Congress leader Kapil Sibal tweets on Kathua, Unnao rape cases

Kathua , Unnao
Surat shame
Must be condemned
" Not In My Name "

Attitudes , mindsets
Must change
The simple truth
Men are to blame

— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) April 16, 2018

Kathua rape case hearing to take place at Kathua Session Court

Hearing in Kathua rape and murder case to take place today at the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/7NFc8F1YMM

— ANI (@ANI) April 16, 2018

Children, adults rally nationwide over Kathua and Unnao rape cases, demand justice and strict punishment for rapists

Scores of people took to streets on Sunday protesting over the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district and the rape of a 17-year-old girl in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao by BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar. Condemning the government response in the two cases, protesters demanded swift trial and strict punishment for the culprits.

Various civil society groups sent invites on social media asking people to unite and demand justice for the two girls. Protests were held at Parliament Street in New Delhi where people gathered under the banner of NotInMyName against increasing incidents of rape and atrocities on Dalits and minorities.

Kathua victim’s father to move Supreme Court today to transfer case outside Jammu

According to media reports, the eight-year-old girl’s father will approach the Supreme Court today to seek to move the trial of the rape and murder of his daughter to Chandigarh from Kathua. 

The victim’s biological father, Mohammad Akhtar, has permitted the legal team to approach the apex court, reported  DNA. 

Father of Kathua rape victim to move Supreme Court today seeking transfer of trial to Chandigarh from Kathua

— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) April 16, 2018

Kathua rape case must be heard outside Jammu, victim’s lawyer Deepika Singh Rajawat tells Firstpost

​

Deepika Singh Rajawat , the lawyer appearing in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court on behalf of *****’s father Mohammad Akhtar is determined to fight for justice for the eight-year-old girl who was brutally gang-raped and murdered in the Kathua district of Jammu in January this year.

“I do not think the case should be taken up in Jammu. I will discuss the matter with Mohammad Akhtar about transferring the case to another court,” she said.

People take part in a candlelight vigil at protest demanding justice for Kathua and Unnao rape case victims, in Moradabad 

Image courtesy: PTI

Alleged conspirator Sanji Ram’s family wants CBI probe

The family members of Sanji Ram, the alleged conspirator of the Kathua rape and murder case, have said that he should be hanged publicly but only if a CBI probe into the case finds him guilty.

“My father (Sanji Ram) and brother (Vishal) should be hanged to death if they are found guilty, provided the investigation is conducted by a credible agency. We want justice for the girl by a probe through credible agency and only such probe can ensure our father’s and brother’s innocence,” one of Ram’s daughters said.

“Media should have heard us, our side and our fears on the probe by the Crime Branch. Wanting a CBI probe to give justice to 8-year girl, meant to media that we were shielding culprits or creating hurdle in the probe. It was wrong. We always batted for justice for the girl,” she said. – PTI

Delhi Commission for Women fasts for third day against doctors advice

Demanding the death penalty for rapists, Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal continued her indefinite hunger strike for the third day on Sunday despite warnings from doctors. “Her (Maliwal’s) medical condition is not good. Doctors have advised her to break her fast but she is not giving up,” a DCW official said. 

The DCW chief tweeted: “The police initially asked me to vacate the place. Now the DCP has come with entire police force with a false doctors’ report saying my life is in danger. But I can run for 5 km. They will forcibly pick me up in the night. They are not allowing me to consult a private doctor. What is the fear @narendramodi?”

पुलिस पहले बोली जगह खाली कर। अब DCP पूरी पुलिस फोर्स के साथ & डॉक्टर्स की फर्जी रिपोर्ट लाया है। कहता है जान खतरे में है। अब 5 km भी भाग सकती हूँ। कुछ न हुआ। मुझे जबरदस्ती रात में उठाएंगे। मैं कह रही हूँ मुझे pvt doctor कंसल्ट करना है, न करने दे रहे। @narendramodi इतना डर क्यों?

— Swati Maliwal (@SwatiJaiHind) April 15, 2018

Kathu wouldn’t have happened if state had acted on Kunan-Poshpora, say mass rape victims

For the survivors of the horrific 1991 Kunan-Poshpora mass rapes, the murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua has reopened old wounds, reported  Greater Kashmir . The survivors came from their hamlet to show solidarity for the minor victim in Kathua. 

While expressing happiness that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti is seeking to expedite the process by asking for a fast track court, a victim who had come along with other people from the village, said: “If this one rape has shaken her conscience, why is she unfazed by the mass rape of women by armed forces in Kunan-Poshpora? Doesn’t she have a responsibility towards us also?”

“If the state would have booked the perpetrators (armed forces) who unleashed terror in the village and raped our mothers, sisters, daughters and wives; a minor girl would not have been raped. Kunan-Poshpara could have acted as a deterrent, so that no girl in Jammu and Kashmir would ever be raped,” she further said.

Farooq Abdullah wants bill to award death penalty for raping minors

Opposition National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Sunday demanded a special session of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly to bring in a bill to award capital punishment to those who rape minors. Abduallah’s comment comes in the backdrop of a nationwide condemnation of the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua.

“Capital punishment must be brought in for such cases. She (Kathua rape victim) is just like my daughter. Thank God, today the nation has woken up and they have taken it very seriously. I hope justice will be done and we will bring a bill in the Assembly session wherein (if) any such incident takes place, the hanging must be brought in,” he said.- PTI

Accused in Kathua rape case

The chargesheet lists the caretaker of ‘Devisthan’, a small temple, in a village in Kathua, about 90 kilometres from Jammu, as the main conspirator behind the crime. Sanji Ram was allegedly joined by special police officers Deepak Khajuria and Surender Verma, friend Parvesh Kumar alias Mannu, Ram’s nephew, a juvenile, and his son Vishal Jangotra alias “Shamma”.

The charge sheet also names investigating officers head constable Tilak Raj and Sub-Inspector Anand Dutta, who allegedly took Rs 4 lakh from Ram and destroyed crucial evidence.

Mehbooba Mufti accepts resignations of BJP ministers

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday accepted the resignations of two controversial BJP ministers, who had participated in a rally in support of the people arrested in connection with the rape and murder of an eight-year-old Muslim girl in Kathua, officials said.

The resignations of Chaudhary Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga were received from BJP state chief Sat Sharma this morning which were immediately accepted and forwarded to Governor NN Vohra for completing the procedural formalities, they said.

Protests against Kathua, Unnao rape case in Mumbai’s Bandra area

Protest held over #Unnao & #Kathua rape cases at Carter Rd in Mumbai's Bandra #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/u3aCXue1fE

— ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2018

BJP demands sacking of Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir

The BJP on Sunday demanded the sacking of Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir, claiming that he was seen in a video terming the police probe in the Kathua rape-and-murder case motivated and defending the public protests against it.

In the video, which was played during a press conference at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi, Mir is purportedly telling reporters that the locals believed the investigation was motivated and that the main culprits were still at large.

RECAP: Former bureaucrats write to prime minister on Kathua and Unnao rape cases

In a strongly-worded open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi , a group of former civil servants on Sunday asked him to check the nation’s “free fall into anarchy” by acting tough against the culprits of the Kathua and Unnao rape cases and the perpetrators of hate crimes across the country.

‘Don’t know till when I will be alive’: Kathua victim’s lawyer Deepika Rajawat

Speaking to ANI on Sunday, the Kathua victim’s family’s counsel Deepika Rajawat said that she was threatened on Saturday and does not know till when she will be alive. “I don’t know till when I will be alive. I can be raped, my modesty can be outraged, I can be killed, I can be damaged. I was threatened yesterday that ‘we will not forgive you’. I am going to tell SC tomorrow that I am in danger,” ANI quoted Rajawat as saying. 

I don't know till when I will be alive. I can be raped, my modesty can be outraged, I can be killed, I can be damaged. I was threatened yesterday that 'we will not forgive you'. I am going to tell SC tomorrow that I am in danger: Deepika S Rajawat, Counsel, Kathua victim's family pic.twitter.com/khXFELUqZe

— ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2018

Rape, murder of eight-year-old girl part of strategy to remove Bakarwals from area, says chargesheet

According to the charge sheets filed by the crime branch, the abduction, rape and killing of the Bakerwal girl was part of a carefully planned strategy to remove the minority nomadic community from the area.

Visual of people take part in a candle light vigil in protest against  Kathua and Unnao rape cases,  in Amritsar on Sunday

Image courtesy: PTI

Not In My Name protests launched after Kathua, Unnao cases

Hundreds of people on Sunday participated in a protest march called “Not In My Name” at Parliament Street in the national capital against increasing incidents of rape and atrocities on Dalits and minorities.

Gurugram-based filmmaker Saba Dewan led the protest. The protest included artistes and students, who vented their anger over the incidents and claimed that Muslims in the country were living in fear. They said the rights of Dalits and Adivasis were being questioned.

“Today we mourn the rape and murder of a little girl in Kathua. Her crime was that she belonged to the Bakarwal Muslim community that the Hindutva forces want out of the area. Her rape and murder are part of a larger narrative of communal violence with women’s bodies being used as a battlefield,” said Saba.

RECAP: Bar Council of India asks Jammu, Kathua lawyers’ associations to end strike

The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Sunday asked the Jammu and Kathua bar associations to call off their strike and decided to send a five-member team headed by a former high court chief justice to investigate the alleged incident of misconduct on part of the lawyers there in connection with the Kathua rape-murder case.

BCI chairman and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra told reporters that if any lawyer is found guilty, then the council will go to the extent of cancelling the legal practise licence.

Two Sikh special public prosecutors appointed to maintain neutrality

The Jammu and Kashmir government has appointed two special public prosecutors, both Sikhs, for the trial in the sensitive case, a move being seen as made to ensure “neutrality” in view of Hindu-Muslim polarisation over the case.

Trial for accused juvenile to be held separately

The chief judicial magistrate of Kathua will be committing one of the charge sheets, in which seven people have been named, to the sessions court for trial as mandated under the law. The chief judicial magistrate will, however, hold the trial for the juvenile as it is the designated court under the Juvenile Justice Act, according to officials.

Kathua rape case trial to begin today

The trial in the gruesome Kathua rape and murder case begins on Monday against eight accused who allegedly held an eight-year-old girl in captivity in a small village temple in Kathua district for a week in January this year during which she was kept sedated and sexually assaulted before being bludgeoned to death.

Updates for 16 April, 2018 begin here

Trial in Kathua rape-murder case begins on Monday

The trial in the gruesome Kathua rape and murder case begins on Monday against eight accused who allegedly held an eight-year-old girl in captivity in a small village temple in Kathua district for a week in January this year during which she was kept sedated and sexually assaulted before being bludgeoned to death.

The accused include a juvenile against whom a separate charge sheet was filed. The chief judicial magistrate of Kathua will be committing one of the charge sheets, in which seven people have been named, to the sessions court for trial as mandated under the law. The chief judicial magistrate will, however, hold the trial for the juvenile as it is the designated court under the juvenile act, according to officials.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has appointed two special public prosecutors, both Sikhs, for the trial in the sensitive case, a move being seen as made to ensure “neutrality” in view of Hindu-Muslim polarisation over the case.

The trial is expected to go smoothly after the Jammu Bar association as well as the  Kathua Bar received a rap on the knuckles by the Supreme Court on 13 April as the apex court took a strong note of some lawyers obstructing the judicial process in the case. The Supreme Court initiated a case on its own record saying such impediment “affects the dispensation of justice and would amount to obstruction of access to justice”.  —PTI

Never raised questions on police probe into case**, says Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir**

Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Ghulam Ahmad Mir on Sunday claimed it was after his demand that the accused in the Kathua rape case were arrested and said he had never raised questions on the state police’s probe in the matter.

Mir’s remarks came after the BJP this morning played a video purportedly showing him calling the police probe into the rape and killing of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua as motivated and defending the public protests against it.

“This is an old video. The statement was given by me in March. It was prior to the arrest of the mastermind and main accused, and others (in the Kathua case),” he said. The saffron party has also demanded that Congress president Rahul Gandhi sack Mir.

“It was after my statement, the main accused and mastermind, Sanji Ram, and others were arrested. I never raised a question mark on the probe (by the crime branch). I have never demanded a CBI probe (into the matter),” Mir said. —PTI

Not In My Name protests launched after Kathua, Unnao cases; hundreds march over atrocities against minorities

Hundreds of people on Sunday participated in a protest march called “Not In My Name” at Parliament Street in the national capital against increasing incidents of rape and atrocities on Dalits and minorities.

Gurgaon-based filmmaker Saba Dewan led the protest. The protest included artistes and students, who vented their anger over the incidents and claimed that Muslims in the country were living in fear. They said the rights of Dalits and Adivasis were being questioned.

Death penalty won’t solve problem , attitude towards women needs to change

The facts show that to prevent sexual crimes, we have to make large changes in our society and its treatment of women at the level of the family. And we need to ensure that the existing laws on reporting sexual violence are followed at the level of every police station across India. This is very, very hard work but it will ensure that the rate of reporting goes up, at least to the levels where it is in the rest of the world. After the rate of reporting goes up, the state needs to ensure that it conducts proper investigations (which need resources and cannot be done with the same force or budget) that increases the rate of convictions.

All of this is difficult, and most politicians know that it is close to impossible. That is why the easy way is chosen and that is to demand that rapists be hanged. The fact that murderers are also hanged and it has no effect on murders does not seem to worry us.

Group of former civil servants pens letter to PM, tells him to ‘act tough’ against culprits of Kathua, Unnao rape cases 

In a strongly-worded open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a group of former civil servants on Sunday asked him to check the nations “free fall into anarchy” by acting tough against the culprits of the Kathua and Unnao rape cases and the perpetrators of hate crimes across the country.

Holding Modi responsible “more than anyone else” for the “terrifying state of affairs” and pointing out that both in Uttar Pradesh (Unnao) and Jammu and Kashmir (Kathua) it is his party (BJP) that is in power, the 49 former civil servants who included Aruna Roy, Harsh Mander, Wajahat Habibullah, Jawahar Sircar and NC Saxena, termed the present state of affairs an “existential crisis”.

“This is a moment of existential crisis, a turning point — the way the government responds now will determine whether we as a nation and as a republic have the capacity to overcome the crisis of constitutional values, of governance and the ethical order within which we function.

The group has also demanded the convening of an all-party meeting “to deliberate on ways in which the phenomenon of hate crime can be tackled socially, politically and administratively”. —IANS

Protests held against Kathua, Unnao rape cases outside Mira Road station in Mumbai

Images by Hassan Kamal

Protests held in Mira Road, #Mumbai against the Unnao, Kathua rape cases

Follow updates of the #Kathua rape and murder case here: https://t.co/jBaLxbAsyU pic.twitter.com/aHv3IjloJp

— Firstpost (@firstpost) April 15, 2018

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal seeks death penalty for rape of minors

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday demanded death penalty for those raping minors and also blasted the BJP for defending its MLA accused of raping a teenager in Uttar Pradesh.

While visiting the Rajghat where Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson Swati Maliwal’s fast on the same issue entered the third day, Kejriwal said his government was ready to make amendments to the existing law to ensure death penalty to rapists of minors. — IANS

Former MP Tariq Karra says resignations of BJP ministers aimed at ‘saving Mehbooba Mufti govt’

Former MP Tariq Hameed Karra on Sunday played down resignations of two BJP ministers in Jammu and Kashmir, saying it was aimed at saving Mehbooba Mufti-led government in the state.

“Both the PDP and BJP are trying to play smart by the way of fixing the match through rhetoric and pre-emptive measures like withdrawing the ministers from cabinet simply to save this government and remain glued to the power,” Karra, one of the founding members of the PDP, said in a statement in Jammu.

 Karra resigned from the PDP in September 2016 over differences with the party leadership over its alliance with the BJP and later joined Congress in February last year. He said the people of the state were going through “one of the worst political crisis in last 25 years”. —PTI

Solid case built by Jammu police against accused offers hope that justice will be served

There is also a sharp contrast between the strictly professional manner with which senior officers of the Jammu and Kashmir Police Crime Branch investigated the case in Kathua and the connivance of the state administration in Uttar Pradesh to protect the politically powerful from charges of rape and murder.

Despite the active participation of at least one police officer in the ghastly crime and several other policemen in the cover-up operation, the Jammu and Kashmir Police Crime Branch has not tried to protect its own but booked them in the charge sheet. Led ably by Ramesh Kumar Jalla, Senior Superintendent of Police, J&K Crime Branch, Jammu division, the crime branch team has also stood firm in the face of a sustained agitation by lawyers, politicians and different sections of civil society in Jammu to let off the accused in the case.

In fact, had it not been for the painstaking investigation into the case by the Special Investigative Team (SIT) that resulted in a meticulous 11-page charge sheet the true story of why and how the eight-year-old girl was kidnapped and brutalised while grazing her horses in the meadow would have never emerged.

Indian students from leading universities in UK write to Narendra Modi ahead of his visit demanding justice in rape cases 

Indian students and alumni based in the UK have delivered a letter for Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Indian High Commission in London asking him to take “extraordinary measures” to ensure justice in rape cases reported from different states in India.

The National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) the UK, together with 19 India-related societies at leading UK universities, submitted the letter dated 14 April ahead of the Indian PM’s four-day visit to the UK on Tuesday.

It urges the Indian government to take “extraordinary measures” in the horrific rape cases that have been reported in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and more recently in Gujarat. “Hon Prime Minister, extraordinary times demand extraordinary measures. You have not shied away from taking difficult decisions in the past, such as with demonetisation. Please take similar extraordinary steps to prove that India’s daughters matter,” the letter reads. —PTI

BJP may give ministers who backed accused second chance, but some party leaders lobbying for new faces

The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the BJP will submit a report to party president Amit Shah within 15 days on the alleged role of two former ministers in inciting people to protest against the PDP-BJP coalition government and defend the accused in the rape and murder of an eight-year-old Gujjar girl of Kathua.

BJP sources say that while the party is committed to securing the interests of Hindus in Jammu region, one of its factions has accused former ministers Chaudhary Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga of damaging the PDP-BJP coalition government by seeking to inflame protests against it.

However, in a meeting of party leaders headed by national general secretary Ram Madhav on Sunday in Jammu, both Singh and Ganga were told that they could be brought back into the cabinet if an internal party probe found they went to Kathua “to secure the interests of the party and the government” by placating the Hindus of the region who had been riled up that the probe was being handled by Muslim officers.

Bar Council of India asks Jammu, Kathua bar bodies to call off strike; to hold meeting with them on Monday

The Bar Council of India (BCI) on Sunday asked the Jammu and Kathua bar associations to call off their strike and decided to send a five-member team headed by a former high court chief justice to investigate the alleged incident of misconduct on part of the lawyers there in connection with the Kathua rape-murder case.

BCI chairman and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra told reporters that if any lawyer is found guilty, then the council will go to the extent of cancelling the legal practise licence. 

“The BCI has decided to issue a direction and make an appeal to the Jammu High Court Bar Association and the Kathua Bar Association to call off their strike with immediate effect. We have made a request and issued a direction to them to convene an extraordinary meeting tomorrow to decide on the issue,” he said.

The bar council’s decision came after its general body meeting which was convened on Sunday in the backdrop of the apex court’s notice to it.

Visuals of protests held in Bandra, Mumbai against the Unnao, Kathua rape cases

Protest held over #Unnao & #Kathua rape cases at Carter Rd in Mumbai's Bandra #Maharashtra pic.twitter.com/u3aCXue1fE

— ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2018

Alleged conspirator’s family says he should be ‘publicly hanged,’ but demands CBI probe before any punishment

The family members of Sanji Ram, the alleged conspirator of the Kathua rape and murder case, have said that he should be hanged publicly but only if a CBI probe into the case finds him guilty.

The family members also criticised the national media for portraying their agitation for a CBI probe into the case as “pro-rapists” and “pro-culprits”, and said the scribes were  “delivering judgments without investigation”.

Huddled together under a tree in a nondescript hamlet in their village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, Ram’s family members have been demanding an “impartial investigation by a credible agency”. Sixteen women, who were on a fast demanding a CBI probe into the case, have been hospitalised in past 15 days.

“My father (Sanji Ram) and brother (Vishal) should be hanged to death if they are found guilty, provided the investigation is conducted by a credible agency. We want justice for the girl by a probe through the credible agency and only such probe can ensure our father’s and brother’s innocence,” one of Ram’s daughters said. —PTI

Protest held at Parliament Street in Delhi against the Unnao, Kathua rape cases, ANI reports

Protest held at Parliament Street against Unnao & Kathua rape cases. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/JPAAiIgKMT

— ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2018

JKNPP demands resignation of BJP ministers, says tensions in Jammu could further escalate if leaders stay in power

The Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) on Sunday staged a protest in Jammu, seeking resignations of BJP ministers in the state for allegedly cowering down before Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti after she refused to recommend a CBI probe in the Kathua rape-and-murder case.

Talking about the resignation of the two BJP ministers — Lal Singh and CP Ganga — he said people would have welcomed them had they resigned immediately after their assurance of CBI probe was rejected by the chief minister.

“The present turmoil and tension in the Jammu region could further escalate in case the Jammu-based ministers continued to remain glued to power,” said Harsh Dev Singh, the party chairman. He said Forest Minister Lal Singh and Industries Minister C P Ganga were mere sacrificial lambs for the BJP in order to save its opportunistic alliance with the PDP.

“Not only in Kathua case but the BJP had surrendered each of its fundamentals and discarded its core philosophy merely for crumbs of power,” he claimed. The JKNPP leader alleged that the BJP ministers preferred to play the second fiddle to Mehbooba thus facilitating the promotion of her “pro-separatist agenda” in the state. —PTI

Mehbooba Mufti deserves kudos for avoiding politicisation of Kathua rape case

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti deserves kudos for standing her ground against her coalition partner over investigations into the horrific rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in a sanctum in Kathua three months ago.

The two BJP ministers who had publicly demonstrated support for the alleged culprits have resigned, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tweeted a promise of justice. But all this is only window-dressing after the charge-sheet last week sent a wave of revulsion sweeping across the country, including many of BJP’s own supporters.

But make no mistake. For two months now, Mehbooba has been under strong pressure from within BJP to go easy on the perpetrators of this ghastly crime.

Mehbooba Mufti accepts resignations of BJP leaders

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti accepts resignations of state ministers Chandra Prakash Ganga and Chaudhary Lal Singh, reports ANI. Mufti has forwarded the resignations to Jammu and Kashmir Governor NN Vohra, the report adds.

Jammu High Court Bar Association welcomes Supreme Court intervention in Kathua rape and murder case

Under criticism from various quarters over its ongoing 12-day-long agitation pressing for demands including handing over the Kathua rape and murder case to the CBI, the Jammu High Court Bar Association (JHCBA) on Sunday welcomed the Supreme Court intervention into the matter and said it has full faith in the apex court.

The lawyers’ body also asserted its main demand was for the shifting of illegally settled Rohingyas and there were wrongful attempts to project it as “pro-rapist” or “anti-national”.  

“We have full faith in the Supreme Court and we welcome its intervention in the case. It is now up to the court to decide whether it should be handed over to the CBI for further investigation or not,” senior advocate and JHCBA member Surinder Kour told reporters in Jammu.

DCW chief Swati Maliwal’s hunger strike for stricter anti-rape laws enters third day

An indefinite hunger strike by Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson Swati Maliwal entered the third day on Sunday in support of death penalty for rapists.

Maliwal launched the protest at Rajghat on Friday in wake of the rape incidents in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao and Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua districts.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, the DCW chief said: “I will not break my anshan (fast) until the Prime Minister does not (promise) the country a better system for the safety of our daughters.” The protest saw a large number of women and children participating, urging the authorities to implement stricter anti-rape laws in the country.

The Commission had observed a month-long satyagraha in February demanding fast-track courts and stricter laws for those accused of raping minors. —IANS

Farooq Abdullah demands special Jammu and Kashmir Assembly session to pass bill handing our death penalty for minor’s rapists

National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Sunday demanded a special Jammu and Kashmir Assembly session to pass a bill to hand out capital punishment to those convicted of raping minors.

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which are in power in the state, should convene a special session to pass the bill,” the Lok Sabha member said. “It is only by awarding capital punishment to perpetrators of such heinous crime that incidents like Kathua rape and murder can be prevented from occurring in future,” the former chief minister said. 

Chief Minister and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti already said that Jammu and Kashmir will soon pass a bill to award death sentence to those who rape minors. —IANS

“If any lawyer is found guilty in the case, we have the rights to cancel their license for life,” Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said to ANI 

If any lawyer is found guilty in the case, we have the rights to cancel their license for a lifetime: Manan Kumar Mishra, Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman #Kathua rape and murder case pic.twitter.com/h3zVxvfIki

— ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2018

Dinesh Gundu Rao regrets calling Yogi Adityanath ‘ dhongi ’; terms it ’emotional outburst’ over Unnao, Kathua rape cases

Congress leader Dinesh Gundu Rao expressed regret over his “slipper” jibe on Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath terming it as an emotional outburst.

Speaking during a candlelight march held by KPCC over the Unnao and Kathua rape cases, Rao had called Adityanath a “dhongi” who should be “beaten up with slippers”.

The KPCC (Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee) working president had also claimed that atrocities against women had gone up under Adityanath’s rule in Uttar Pradesh. He was the chief minister was “not a Yogi. He is a dhongi (fake). The prime minister should sack him.” Rao also said, “If he comes next time to Karnataka, he should be beaten with your sandals. Drive him out.”

BJP leader, Hindutva hardliners among those at forefront of protests defending accused

The men who began an agitation defending the accused in the rape and murder of a nomad girl in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua, have been either associated with the BJP, or espouse the belief that Hindus have been discriminated against by governments led by Muslim chief ministers.

The protests that followed the filing of a case against 8 people, including some police officials, were spearheaded by a BJP state secretary. Subsequently, other community groups and political parties also joined them. The agitation took up a number of issues apart from seeking a CBI probe in the case — including discrimination against Hindus in terms of representation in the Legislative Assembly and in jobs. These issues were used to fuel the unrest.

A look at the ideological positions of those who led the agitation reveals that they have played an active role in spreading communal hatred. They have also tried to shut down markets to seek a CBI probe in the case. Even as trade associations and some influential community groups lend support for the CBI probe, here are some of those who spearheaded the agitation.

Why doesn’t Rahul Gandhi take actions against Congress leaders who supported Kathua protestors, asks Prakash Javadekar 

Union minister Prakash Javadekar asks Congress president Rahul Gandhi why no action is being taken against the party’s state chief Ghulam Mir, who according to Javadekar said the same things that the two BJP leaders who recently tendered their resignation had said. 

“When our ministers expressed these sentiments, the Congress, the media made a lot of noise. We took action. They resigned. Now we want to ask Rahul Gandhi, who took out a candlelight march (protesting the growing incidents of crime against women in the country), why is he not taking action against his party’s state president,” Javadekar said.

According to PTI, in a video which was played during a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, Mir is purportedly telling reporters that the locals believed the investigation was motivated and that the main culprits were still at large.

Javadekar also asked Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad should “apologise to the nation” as the head of the Bar Association of Jammu, BS Slathia, was reportedly his polling agent in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Slathia was another leader who allegedly defended the accused. “Azad ji has no responsibility? He should apologize to the nation,” Javadekar said at the press conference. 

Bar Council of India says five-member team to investigate Kathua case, committee to submit report to Supreme Court on 19 April, reports ANI 

In the meeting, we decided that a 5 member team will investigate the case. The team will go to Kathua & Jammu & talk to people about the conduct of Bar Association: Manan Kumar Mishra, Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman #KathuaRapeCase pic.twitter.com/Dc8zK3TcAr

— ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2018

Committee will give the report to us & we have to present it to SC on 19. We will request SC to give us additional two days time. We have asked Jammu Bar Association to immediately withdraw their strike: Manan Kumar Mishra, Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman #KathuaRapeCase pic.twitter.com/awzREagSAA

— ANI (@ANI) April 15, 2018

Linking sexual crimes with identity politics obstructs reforms in rape laws

In the wake of this crisis, it is important to understand how the society views and examines rape as a crime, and why it views some cases of sexual violence as more significant in public discourses than others. Why is there a more public outcry for certain rape cases than others? And does this perception play a part in the kind of reform we demand from policymakers and the judiciary when it comes to sexual violence?

Updates from 15 April begin here

Bar Association Kathua withdraws offer to contest accused’s case for free

The Bar Association Kathua (BAK) on Saturday withdrew its offer to contest without charge the case of the eight people accused in the rape and murder case of an eight-year-old Muslim girl in the district.

The BAK’s decision comes a day after the Supreme Court took a serious note of lawyers obstructing the judicial process and initiated a case on its own accord saying such impeding of the process of law “affects the delivery of justice”.

The top court said that lawyers’ bodies have a solemn duty to not obstruct advocates representing the accused or the victims’ family in courts.

“We have withdrawn our offer to contest the case free of cost. Accused are free to engage any individual advocate and exercise their respective rights of defence in the court. It is for any individual advocate to accept the brief and the bar association will not come in the way of defence nor will hamper the prosecution,” BAK president Kirty Bhushan Mahajan said. —PTI

PDP has put Jammu and Kashmir in deep crisis, says CPM leader MY Tarigami 

Launching a scathing attack on the PDP, CPM leader MY Tarigami asked Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and the party leadership to explain its position after tourism minister Tasdauq Mufti’s comment that the PDP and BJP had “ended up being partners in a crime (for which) an entire generation might have to pay with their blood.”

Tarigami asked what was stopping the PDP from apologising to the people for entering into an “incompatible alliance with RSS-led BJP”. “Despite concerns and warnings by democratic forces in and outside the state about this opportunist alliance, the PDP did not give any damn to it and today they have put a sensitive state like Jammu and Kashmir in deep crisis,” he said.

“While the PDP seems to have gone quiet over its political agenda or entered into a sort of ideological and political trade-off with its alliance partner, BJP has more or less freely plied its agenda and with an increasing belligerence,” he said.

The CPM leader said Kashmir had been converted into “a cage where excessive use of force is more clear and visible than the governance”. “The whole state knows that the ‘Agenda of Alliance’ is nothing but a gimmick of fake and un-kept promises and stands contrary to the wishes of the people,” said Tarigami. —PTI

CPM leader MY Tarigami demands criminal proceedings against BJP leaders who attended rally against Kathua victim

Senior CPM leader MY Tarigami on Saturday termed as “half-hearted” the submission of resignation by two BJP ministers in Jammu and Kashmir and demanded criminal proceedings against all those who obstructed the process of justice in the Kathua rape-and-murder case.

“Two cabinet ministers of the BJP and others openly tried to cover up the heinous gang-rape and brutal murder case of the nomad girl and shield the culprits,” Tarigami said in a statement in Jammu.

“It was only after outrage across the country on heinous crime that the two ministers have half-heartedly submitted their resignation. What is required now is to initiate criminal proceedings against all those who obstructed the process of justice to the victim,” he said. —PTI

Congress leader Kumari Selja blames BJP for politicisation of Unnao, Kathua rape cases

Blaming the BJP for politicisation of Unnao and Kathua rape cases, the Congress on Saturday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for speaking very little on the incidents and not mention the involvement of his own party’s people.

It also attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) for always trying to erode the legacy of BR Ambedkar.

“Prime minister’s speech yesterday (Friday) reeked of politicisation of everything and blaming the Congress for everything as if the world came into existence in 2014..as if they had started from the scratch.

“PM yesterday broke his silence after protests across the country and that too in just two lines. But he didn’t mention that his own people are involved in the cases. The BJP MLA or ministers. The resignation of ministers is just a joke. They gave it to their own party,” said senior Congress leader Kumari Selja. —IANS

BJP leader Chander Prakash Ganga says party sent him to attend Hindu Ekta Manch rally

BJP leader Chander Prakash Ganga, who drew criticism for attending a rally in support of the accused in Kathua rape case, alleged that BJP’s state party leadership had sent the leaders to attend the meeting of the Hindu Ekta Manch.

“We were sent by the party. Our party president Sat Sharma sent us. We went there on the party’s instruction,” he said, speaking with Times Now on Saturday. “If my resignation can save the image of my party, I will give this sacrifice,” he added.

Lawyer fighting for justice for Kathua rape victim alleges he was ‘attacked by goons’

A lawyer fighting for justice for Kathua rape and murder victim on Saturday alleged he had been attacked by goons in Udhampur town.

Talib Hussain, a local lawyer has been in the forefront of seeking justice for the Kathua rape and murder victim during the last two months.

Hussain also opposed vehemently the demand of Jammu lawyers for transfer of the investigations in this case to the CBI. Police said they have taken cognizance of Hussain’s complaint and started investigations. —IANS

Family of Kathua victim demand FIR against BJP ministers

According to ANI , the family members of the eight-year-old Kathua rape victim, said that an FIR should be lodged against the two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, Chandra Prakash Ganga and Lal Singh, who had resigned after drawing criticism for attending a rally in support of the accused in the case.

BJP leaders Chander Prakash Ganga, Choudhary Lal Singh reiterate demand for CBI probe into Kathua case

BJP leaders Chander Prakash Ganga and Lal Singh, who have submitted their resignations as ministers, on Saturday reiterated the demand for a CBI inquiry into the rape-and-murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir.

Ganga and Singh submitted their resignations to the BJP’s state president on Friday “to save the image of the prime minister and the party” following a controversy over their presence in a rally in support of the accused.

“To safeguard the interest of Jammu, I will not hesitate to fight the government or meet the prime minister personally and reiterate the demand for a CBI probe into the Kathua rape-and-murder case which is the demand of lakhs of people,” Ganga told reporters here this evening.

Earlier in the day, Singh also sought a CBI probe and said “what is wrong with it. The agency will not indulge in any wrongdoing.” However, both the ministers demanded stern and an exemplary punishment to the culprits involved in the incident, with Ganga seeking capital punishment for the accused. —PTI

PDP thanks nation, media for support in Kathua rape and murder case

PDP poster on Twitter , saying, “Party thanks the entire nation and media for standing for justice in ****** case and extending much needed emotional outreach to people of JK. There’s sustained need for such an emotional connect to address the pain of people.”

Maharashtra Congress to hold candle-lit protests

The Congress’ Maharashtra unit will hold candle-light protests across Mumbai and Maharashtra on Sunday to protest against the recent horrifying rape incidents in Unnao and Kathua.

Mumbai Congress President Sanjay Nirupam will lead a procession in the suburbs at 6 am, followed by a similar march by state Congress chief Ashok Chavan in Thane at 7 am. Besides, all the district units of the party all over the state shall similar candle-lit marches to protest against the rape incident of an 8-year-old nomadic girl in Jammu & Kashmir’s Kathua and a young girl in Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao which have shaken the country.

“Ever since the Bharatiya Janata Party has taken over the reins at the centre and in states, there has been a sharp increase in the number of crimes against women. Unfortunately, the government has not initiated any concrete measures to redress it,” Chavan said. 

Referring to Maharashtra, he said since the present BJP-led administration assumed power, crimes against women and girls here have shot up by 36 percent. —IANS

We want justice: Kathua rape victim’s mother

We are extremely sad. We don't know what to do anymore. We want justice: Mother of Kathua rape and murder victim pic.twitter.com/w6Qbb5Udk3

— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2018

Maneka Gandhi says WCD preparing proposal awarding death penalty for rape of minors below age 12 

Union minister Maneka Gandhi said on Saturday that her department is preparing a proposal for an amendment to the POCSO Act to provide for a death sentence for the rape of a minor below the age of 12 years, saying tough punishment would act as a strong deterrent.

After preparing a Cabinet note in this regard, her department will send it to various ministries, including law, for their opinion, the women and children development (WCD) minister told PTI.

Her comments came in the wake of the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl at Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir, which has caused a national outrage and triggered protests. —PTI

Pawan Kalyan seeks ‘public punishment’ for rapists

Actor-politician Pawan Kalyan on Saturday called for giving harsh punishment publicly to rapists, saying the gang rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua has deeply disturbed him.

Addressing members of women’s wing of his Jana Sena party, students and youth at the party office in Hyderabad, he said the incident shows that man was behaving worse than an animal.

“The eve-teasers who stalk women and rape them should be punished publicly. Then only it will instil fear. We should follow Singapore in awarding the punishment,” he said.

Pawan said Kathua was not the first incident, regretting that the “system” gets into some action only an incident takes place. —IANS

PDP leader Naeem Akhtar says Jammu and Kashmir govt considering law to award death penalty to rapists of minors 

“I want justice for the 8-year-old at the earliest. This govt will soon bring a law in the state under which people who rape minors will be given death penalty,” PDP leader Naeem Akhtar said in Srinagar, according to ANI 

I want justice for the 8-year-old at the earliest. This govt will soon bring a law in the state under which people who rape minors will be given death penalty. Entire nation has come with her: Naeem Akhtar, PDP on Kathua rape case pic.twitter.com/1awn8jIgVL

— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2018

Appreciate BJP support in Kathua case: PDP leader Naeem Akhtar 

The Kathua case has united people of Jammu and Kashmir with rest of India, senior PDP leader Naeem Akhtar said on Saturday. Speaking with reporters after the PDP meeting in Srinagar, Akhtar said that the way people of India have reacted to the incident and shown empathy will work towards unifying the people of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country.

“If the people of the country are united and think that Kashmir also has people just like the rest of India, it will help bridge the differences,” he said.

Akhtar also thanked BJP leaders for their support in the case. “We appreciate BJP leaders for their support in the case. It’s a confidence-building measure. If BJP-PDP continues to resolve their differences, there will be no alternative to this alliance,” he added. He indicated that the PDP-BJP alliance was safe through this statement. 

Akhtar also said that the Jammu and Kashmir high court is now monitoring the case and that the government is considering formulating a law for awarding death penalty to rapists who abuse minors.

‘Sanghis not welcome’: Ahead of Chengannur bypolls , voters in Kerala tell BJP, RSS workers to stay away from homes

The gruesome rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua has snowballed into a unique campaign against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Sangh Parivar in the southern Indian state of Kerala.

The saffron party, which is gearing up for a show of strength in the upcoming bypoll in Chengannur ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, is rattled by a poster campaign calling for the ban of partymen in houses with young girls.

The campaign, which originated at Vamanapuram in Thiruvananthapuram district on 13 April with posters pasted on the gates of several houses banning the entry of BJP workers, soon spread to different parts of the state.

Kathua, Unnao rape cases indicate need for young generation to push for overhaul of legal system

At the moment, the protests are sporadic and have no staying power. The next generation must demand action and better punitive measures for acts of such cruelty. It must seek a complete overhaul of the dynamics of crime and punishment. This awakening is mandated and must begin now. The change should reflect in our statute, not for one day or one week. but forever.

Full analysis here

Jammu Bar Association seeks compensation, security for Kathua victim’s family

The Jammu Bar Association on Saturday sought compensation and security for the Kathua rape and murder victim’s family.

The association made the announcement through a press release. Association president BS Slathia also called for a candlelight vigil here on Saturday evening to press for justice and demand exemplary punishment to the perpetrators of the heinous crime.

Earlier, lawyers of the Jammu and Kathua Bar Associations tried preventing a woman lawyer from appearing for the victim’s family. —IANS

‘I am Hindustan. I am ashamed:’ Malayalam actor Parvathy condemns Kathua rape incident

Malayalam actor Parvathy on Saturday condemned the alleged gangrape and murder of an eight-year-old girl from Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir, saying she was ‘ashamed’ of the incident.

She posted a picture of herself on Facebook , in which she is seen holding a placard that read: “I am Hindustan. I am ashamed. #Justicefor*****. 8 years old. Gangraped. Murdered in ‘Devi‘stan temple. #KATHUA.” —PTI

By withholding victims’ names, we are protecting rapists, says author Tavleen Singh

The gruesome rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl at Rasana village of Kathua district in Jammu and Kashmir that shocked the nation brought to the fore another issue — whether names of victims should be revealed or not. Section 228A of the Indian Penal Code prohibits the disclosure of the identity of victims when it comes to certain offences. 

Columnist and author Tavleen Singh, however, believes that by keeping the name of rape victims a secret, the world may not understand what they truly went through.

“When a rape victim’s name and pictures are not allowed to be used, does it not end up protecting the rapists? If we had not seen what those beasts did to little *****’s innocent face, would ordinary people have responded with so much anger?” Singh tweeted on Saturday.

Families of accused appoint advocate

News18 reports that the families of the accused in the Kathua rape and murder case have appointed their advocate. The reports states Advocate Ankur Sharma will be the counsel of the accused in court.

No pressure on me to resign, says Chander Prakash Ganga 

“There was no pressure on me to resign, I have done it by myself. If my resignation can save the image of my party, I will give this sacrifice,” BJP leader Chander Prakash Ganga said about his resignation to ANI. He added that he has demanded a CBI enquiry into the case and asserted that he has never practised “politics for power.” 

I have demanded a CBI enquiry in this matter (Kathua rape & murder case). I have never done politics for power. There was no pressure on me to resign, I have done it by myself. If my resignation can save the image of my party, I will give this sacrifice: Chandra Prakash Ganga pic.twitter.com/fvQr6kM9FB

— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2018

There should be a national uprising: Hema Malini on Kathua rape case

Veteran actor and BJP MP Hema Malini on Saturday echoed the views expressed by Union Minister Maneka Gandhi and demanded that rapists of children below 12 years must be “hanged to death”.

Taking to Twitter, Malini called for a national movement against “animals who don’t spare even babies” and said media should also support the cause.

“Daily newspaper reports of rape happening in every part of our country! Kathua, Unnao are (nothing) but two of the long list of shame. Can these mindless rapists even be classified as human beings? They are beasts on the rampage & should be hanged to death for their heinous crimes,” Malini, who is the BJP MP from Mathura, tweeted.

“There should be a national uprising with strong support from the media, against these animals who don’t spare even babies & toddlers! I agree with Manekaji that death penalty should be instantaneous once proven guilty & there should be no bail or pardon, juveniles included, for all rapes,” she added. —PTI

Daily newspaper reports of rape happening in every part of our country! Kathua, Unnao are but 2 of the long list of shame. Can these mindless rapists even be classified as human beings? They are beasts on the rampage & shd be hanged to death for their heinous crimes

— Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) April 14, 2018

There shd be a national uprising with strong support from the media, against these animals who don’t spare even babies & toddlers! I agree with Manekaji that death penalty shd be instantaneous once proven guilty & there shd be no bail or pardon, juveniles included, for all rapes

— Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) April 14, 2018

Trinamool Congress workers hold candlelight march over Kathua, Unnao rape cases in Kolkata

Kolkata: TMC workers hold candlelight march over #Kathua and Unnao rape cases pic.twitter.com/Wt5AXPIgmc

— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2018

Crimes like Kathua, Unnao rape cases will end only if law enforcement can take place without fear or favour

Real change can and will only happen if politicians and civil society close ranks to send out the message loud and clear that certain crimes are non-negotiable and will be dealt with zero-tolerance. The best deterrence against such crimes is prompt intervention by the law enforcing authorities. That can only happen if the administration is given a free hand to act without fear or favour. That has to be the collective mandate of the people to the powers that be, irrespective of their political or ideological leanings. The media on its part has to retain its objectivity following the stories to their logical end without falling into the trap of instant judgments of Twitter khaps or TV kangaroo courts.

Victim’s family demands culprits be ‘hanged for heinous crime’, say they do not need CBI probe

As the Bakerwals make their way to the upper reaches of Jammu and Kashmir with their belongings, she trudges along burdened by the weight of her eight-year-old daughter’s death. “My only wish is the culprits should be hanged for the heinous crime so that no other family has to go through it,” she says.

The girl was adopted by the woman’s brother and his wife in Rasana hamlet of Kathua district when she was one year old. Still, in shock, she blames herself for leaving her daughter at brother’s house.

The girl’s father said she was at the maternal uncle’s home in Rasana.“The killers should be given the death penalty. We do not need a CBI probe, we have faith in the investigation by the Crime Branch,” he says.

The biological father says the world knows that their daughter, who did not know about the difference between Hindus and Muslims, was wronged and murdered in most barbaric manner. “The world and entire India knows it. They are supporting them. I do not say she was our only child, she was everyone’s child. The incident should not be looked at through the religious lens,” he said.

End of road likely for BJP-PDP govt in Jammu and Kashmir as cracks in alliance widen

Has the PDP-BJP alliance in Jammu and Kashmir reached a tipping point from where there is no point of return? That is the question on the minds of political observers in the state who have been watching the alliance drift apart after coming together in 2014, in what was described as an ‘unholy marriage’ of two ideas lying at the opposite ends of the political spectrum.

“We are tired of their (BJP’s) deception,” a senior PDP leader and member of Jammu and Kashmir’s legislative council, told Firstpost, adding, “We were not able to deliver on our promises because of their betrayal. With what face will we approach our voters now? As far as I can see, it is only a matter of time before this failed experiment is put to an end.”

Kathua, Unnao rape cases: Narendra Modi’s statement and sacking of BJP ministers send the right message

Some may say he could have spoken sooner but Narendra Modi assured the nation that those who are guilty of crimes against women shall not be spared and India’s women will definitely get justice. The prime minister’s statement comes in the backdrop of nationwide outrage over Unnao and Kathua rape-and-murder incidents that have shaken the nation’s conscience.

Modi’s statement was solemn and delivered with a seriousness and clarity that the situation called for. That and the sacking of ministers seems a concerted effort to ameliorate the pressure on BJP. Equivocations on timing may continue, but it is tangible action and may go some distance in healing a nation’s troubled conscience. 

Visuals of PDP’s meeting over Kathua rape and murder case in Srinagar

India Today also reported that BJP has accepted the resignation of two Jammu and Kashmir ministers and will send the letters to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

Jammu & Kashmir: Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) meeting underway in Srinagar. pic.twitter.com/mKiqYkMYIA

— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2018

Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal’s indefinite hunger strike for Kathua, Unnao enters second day

Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal continued her hunger strike for the second day on Saturday demanding the government take concrete actions to curb sexual crimes against women.

The hunger strike by Maliwal comes in wake of the recent incidents of rape in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir and Unnao in Uttar Pradesh. She had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday regarding the same.

“Prime minister did fast for one day. We were hoping that he will speak something on the issue and will give assurance to the countrymen to ensure the safety of our daughters. But the silence of the PM and the entire government is very heartbreaking,” Maliwal had said before beginning the strike.

In his first comments on the gruesome incidents, Modi had called them as a “shame” for the country and asserted that the guilty will not be spared and daughters will get justice.

No threat to PDP-BJP coalition in Jammu and Kashmir: Ram Madhav
 

BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav on Saturday said that there was no threat to the ruling PDP-BJP coalition in Jammu and Kashmir as both the parties were working in coordination. He arrived in Jammu earlier on Saturday to chair a Bharatiya Janata Party legislature meet at the party headquarters.

“We will speak to our party legislature and also to the two ministers who have submitted their resignations,” Madhav, who is also the BJP in-charge for Jammu and Kashmir, said. Things would be discussed and deliberations will be held about the latest political developments in the state." —IANS

Ram Madhav meets two BJP ministers in Kathua

BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav meets two BJP ministers, Choudhary Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga in Kathua, reports India Today. The leaders had tender their resignations after facing criticism for their participation in an event related to the Kathua rape case. 

Kathua rape and murder case: Ram Madhav meets two BJP ministers who resigned after outrage.#ITVideo
More videos: https://t.co/Nounxo6IKQ pic.twitter.com/KBVlwnXxs3

— IndiaToday (@IndiaToday) April 14, 2018

“Govt speaks less, works more,” Maneka Gandhi on Unnao, Kathua rape cases

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka Gandhi on Saturday said the BJP-government “speaks less and works more” and has taken speedy action in the Unnao and Kathua rape cases.

“You sometimes think that if we are silent it means we are doing nothing. There have been arrests in both the cases. The government has taken every required step. It is not necessary that we speak first and then act. Our government speaks less and works more,” Gandhi told reporters.

Gandhi had earlier said the Central government was planning to amend the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act to ensure death penalty for those convicted of raping children below the age of 12. —IANS

“I do not believe in Hindu-Muslim politics…BJP president sent us there (Kathua) with responsibility. They did the right thing,” says BJP leader Choudhary Lal Singh 

​BJP leader Choudhary Lal Singh defended his participation in a rally organised by Hindu Ekta Manch supporting the accused in the Kathua rape and killing case. “The way some media persons created a certain perception in the country is wrong. We had gone to defuse the situation created due to migration,” Singh said.

“I had gone there, (ministers) Bali (Bhagat) and (Abdul Gani) Kohli had gone to Nowshera and Sunderbani to listen to people. Should we not listen to them? For what are we people’s representatives? Should we allow people to burn the state and die?” he asked.

“Is it fine that state keeps on burning and the people become violent… I do not believe in Hindu-Muslim politics. Everybody is equal for me,” Lal added. He said they had gone to Rasana as they had a responsibility to reach out to the people.

“Migration had taken place. Our party leadership, the party president, sent us there with responsibility. They did the right thing. We sat with over 5,000 people and made them understand. They heard us and went back to their homes,” he said.

He said that people were told that an inquiry would be held and they wouldn’t be harassed. He claimed that the people in Kathua suspected that the inquiry would not be impartial and demanded a CBI probe. “We put forth their demand before the party as well as chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, who rejected it and said the Crime Branch would probe the matter,” he added. — PTI

Jammu and Kashmir government will ensure justice for the girl and punishment to the culprits in the Kathua rape and murder case, Ram Madhav says 

#BREAKING -- Kathua incident has shocked the society. It is horrific. Police has completed probe and chargesheet is ready: @rammadhavbjp #KathuaHorror pic.twitter.com/15j3UWlKCU

— News18 (@CNNnews18) April 14, 2018

BJP leaders who attended rally should have been more alert, did not intend to hamper investigation

“On 1 March, a huge crowd gathered in Kathua and our ministers went there to pacify them,” Ram Madhav said about the two BJP ministers who had attended a rally in support of the accused in Kathua rape and murder case on Friday. 

“A misunderstanding took place, they should have been more alert. Their intention was not to hamper the investigation. Allegations on them being pro-rapists aren’t true,” Madhav added. He said that the ministers decided that they will resign from their post. “We held discussions on it and their resignation will be sent to Jammu and Kashmir chief minister today,” he said to the press in Kathua. 

Ram Madhav briefs media, says chargesheet on case is ready 

BJP National General Secretary Ram Madhav, who is currently in Kathua, said “Kathua incident has shocked the society. It is horrific. Police have completed probe and chargesheet is ready.”  He said that the chargesheet was ready in under three months, which was commendable. He added that it was now up to the courts to decide on the matter. 

He urged parties, especially the Congress, to not bring religion and politics into the sensitive matter. He accussed the Opposition party of having double standards on the issue.

Lawyer-activist fighting Kathua victim’s case attacked in Udhampur

Bakarwal lawyer and activist, Talib Hussain, who has been leading the fight for justice in the Kathua rape and murder case, was allegedly attacked in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur by members affiliated to the BJP on Friday night,  Outlook  reported.

Police registers case against Kerala banker for ‘justifying’ Kathua rape

Police registered a case against Vishnu Nandakumar, expelled assistant bank manager of Kochi's Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd for making derogatory remarks against #KathuaRapeVictim in a tweet. Case registered under section 153A of IPC. #Kerala

— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2018

Perpetrators should be nabbed, says ex-minister Chaudhary Lal Singh

Those responsible for rape and murder of a 8-year-old in Kathua should be nabbed: Lal Singh,who submitted his resignation as J&K minister to state #BJP President Sat Sharma yesterday #KathuaCase pic.twitter.com/fGIK5swTyW

— ANI (@ANI) April 14, 2018

Kerala banker loses job for ‘justifying’ Kathua rape case

A private bank sacked one of its assistant managers, Nandakumar, after he “justified” the Kathua rape in a Facebook post_._ He wrote: “Better she was killed now itself, otherwise she could have come with a bomb against India tomorrow,” in Malayalam. 

In a statement, Kotak Mahindra Bank said: “It is extremely disheartening to see such comments being made in the aftermath of such a tragedy by anyone including an ex-employee. We strongly condemn this statement.”

PDP legislative meet at 2 pm

According to CNN-News18, the key PDP legislative meet will take place at 2 pm on Saturday. The Kathua rape case is likely to on the top agenda during the meet. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had raised the issue of two BJP ministers “obstructing the process of justice”, in the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua, last week with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi who “assured” her that heads will roll. The BJP’s architect of alliance with the PDP, Ram Madhav, has arrived in the state on Saturday to follow up on the prime minister’s commitment even as the two tainted ministers have resigned.

Mehbooba Mufti to ask Jammu and Kashmir HC to establish special fast track court for Kathua rape case

According to  ANI , Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti will request the state high court Chief Justice to establish a special fast-track court for the Kathua rape case. It will be the first in the state where the trial will be expected to be completed within 90 days. 

PDP sources also said that accused policemen are being terminated from service. 

Minor accused in Kathua rape case was involved in fights with nomadic Muslims

The 15-year-old boy accused in the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua is reportedly a “problem child” who often got into fights, reported _ Hindustan Times ._His relatives described him as a “lean and thin boy afraid of the dark”. However, officials investigating the case said that the boy had developed a hatred for nomadic Muslims and got into fights with Gujjars, for which the police lodged a police complaint against him, three months before the Kathua rape took place.

Mehbooba Mufti lauds people for dismissing communal forces

Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday lauded the people of Jammu for dismissing communal forces and their unwavering support for justice to an eight-year-old girl who was raped and killed in Kathua.

“I commend the manner in which the people of Jammu dismissed communal forces and were unwavering in their support for a little girl. It has strengthened my belief that Jammu serves as a model of inclusiveness and together the people of J-K inspire secular unity and righteousness,” Mufti said in a tweet.

I commend the manner in which the people of Jammu dismissed communal forces & were unwavering in their support for a little girl. It has strengthened my belief that Jammu serves as a model of inclusiveness & together the people of J&K inspire secular unity & righteousness.

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) April 14, 2018

RECAP: ‘One girl killed in Kathua, many missing since 1947, what’s the difference?’ Chaudhary Lal Singh said

In his speech at a rally in March this year, BJP leader Chaudhary Lal Singh had said: “Here one girl was killed and there have been many women missing since 1947, no one is asking about them. So does it make a difference?”

Presence at rally was meant to diffuse situation: Chaudhary Lal Singh

BJP leader Chaudhary Lal Singh on Saturday defended his participation in a rally supporting the accused in the Kathua rape and killing case, saying that it was meant to defuse the situation and restore normalcy.

Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga, BJP ministers in the Jammu and Kashmir coalition government, on Friday tendered their resignations after facing criticism for their participation in the event.

“We had gone to defuse the situation created due to migration one and half months back. We told them they should go back. Abdul Gani Kohli (minister) was sent to the house of the victim, so that an ugly situation was not created,” Lal told reporters.

‘India wants to know’ when its daughters will get justice, Rahul Gandhi asks Narendra Modi

Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Friday “India wants to know” when its daughters will get justice as he ’thanked’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi for breaking his “long silence” on the Kathua and Unnao rape cases.

“Dear Prime Minister, Thank you for breaking your long silence. You said ‘our daughters will get justice’. India wants to know: when?” Gandhi tweeted.

Dear Prime Minister,

Thank you for breaking your long silence.

You said “our daughters will get justice”.

India wants to know: when?#SpeakUp

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 13, 2018

UN terms Kathua rape as ‘horrific’

Terming as “horrific” the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, UN chief Antonio Guterres has expressed hope that the authorities will bring perpetrators of the brutal crime to justice.

“I think we’ve seen the media reports of this horrific case, of the abuse and the murder of a young girl. We very much hope that the authorities will bring the perpetrators to justice so they can be held accountable for the murder of this young girl,” Guterres’ spokesperson Stephane Dujjaric told reporters at his daily press briefing on Friday.

Perpetrators should be hanged, says victim’s mother 

Following the rape and murder of the eight-year-old girl in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua, the victim’s mother told The Economic Times  that the perpetrators of the crime must be hanged. “I am sure she is waiting for justice. I will see her in dream again when she gets answers, when the perpetrators of the crime are hanged, when she gets justice,”  she said.

Abandoned by Jammu’s Hindus and Kashmiri Muslims, Bakkarwals need country’s support

Many Kashmiris taunt them for being supporters of India, but must now woo them as the Kashmiri movement for azadi needs the Bakkarwals on their side for their own moral legitimacy, writes sociologist Anita Sharma. The Jammu Hindus with whom the Bakkarwals shared a warmer relationship are increasingly collating them with Muslim migrants especially in Kathua and Sambha where their numbers are small. The Bakkarwals have little choice but to sit on the fence every time there is a crisis. “After the killing of Burhan Wani we were told by some Kashmiris that since we are faithful to the Indian nation we will be butchered or thrown out of Kashmir and our land will be distributed amongst them. We just had to grin and bear it."

‘Thinking of amending POCSO Act’, says Maneka Gandhi

“We’ve been thinking of amendments to POCSO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) to bring death penalty for rape or provision that instills fear in people so that they refrain from doing anything wrong with children,”  Maneka Gandhi , Women and Child Development Minister told reporters

Resignation of BJP ministers to be discussed at PDP meet: Ram Madhav

Speaking to ANI , BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav in Jammu said: “A meeting will be held. We will take stock of the current situation. The resignation of two ministers will be discussed as well.”

Omar Abdullah ’thanks’ Narendra Modi for speaking in support of rape victims

Hon PM sir, thank you for speaking in support of the victims of #Kathua & #Unnao and thank you responding to the mood of the people & removing the ministers who supported the #Kathua murderers.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 13, 2018

RECAP: BJP ministers, who took part in rally in support of Kathua gangrape accused, resign

Two BJP ministers, Forest Minister Chaudhary Lal Singh and Industries Minister Chander Prakash, who were at the centre of a storm over their participation in a rally in support of the accused in the Kathua rape and murder case, on Friday submitted their resignations to the party’s state president Sat Sharma.

“Yes, the two ministers have submitted their resignation to me,” Sharma told PTI. He said a legislature party meeting of the BJP is scheduled to be held on Saturday in Jammu where the future course of action on this issue will be discussed.

“We are going to discuss this and other issues at our legislature party meeting [on Saturday],” Sharma said when asked if he was going to forward the resignations to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

Crime Branch did a good job, says Jammu and Kashmir DGP SP Vaid

Jammu and Kashmir Police chief SP Vaid today said the Crime Branch probing the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua district “has done a commendable job”.

The DGP’s remarks came a day after he said the police had no objection to a CBI probe into the case. “The Crime Branch has done a commendable job in investigating the unfortunate rape and murder of the girl. They are very competent,” Singh told reporters in Jammu. – PTI

Senior PDP leaders to meet today

A meeting of senior leaders of the ruling PDP has been called on Saturday to decide the party’s course of action amid demands to remove two ministers of its ally BJP from the Jammu and Kashmir government for participating in a rally supporting those accused in the rape and killing of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua.

Updates for 14 April, 2018 begin here

Congress leaders across the country speak out on Kathua, Unnao horror

Congress goes on the offensive as BJP cedes ground 

You see their plan.. first they ignore then when the heat is on, they deflect. https://t.co/okexuuiCdG

— Ramya/Divya Spandana (@divyaspandana) April 13, 2018

Congress leaders react to Rahul Gandhi’s midnight march

From those of us who are angered by rising atrocities against women & the lack of political will to bring fringe elements to justice, thank you for your leadership! #SpeakUp https://t.co/J7PEQAbmsI

— Milind Deora | मिलिंद देवरा ☮️ (@milinddeora) April 13, 2018

The conscience of the entire country has been shaken - by the horrific crimes perpetrated against our women and by the PM’s absolute silence on the issue. When will you #SpeakUp, PM Modi? pic.twitter.com/R6igybWOAU

— Congress (@INCIndia) April 13, 2018

Congress behind agitations in Jammu, BJP-PDP govt acted very fast, says Ram Madhav

“We actually acted very fast, state govt & Police acted swiftly. Congress is trying to politicize the issue, I am accusing Congress of being behind the agitations in Jammu,” Ram Madhav told ANI .

Indiscretion on part of 2 of our MLAs, says BJP leader Ram Madhav

There was indiscretion on part of our two ministers (Lal Singh & PC Ganga), coming under pressure of local public they spoke at a gathering. I immediately flew to Jammu as soon as I got to know and told the party that we should fully support the investigation," Ram Madhav said.

“Hang them”, says Kathua victim’s grandfather

Treat these rapists in the way they treated her, they should be hanged: Kathua Rape victim's grandfather to @maryashakil on #Epicentre #KathuaHorror pic.twitter.com/TccVxmfKlt

— News18 (@CNNnews18) April 13, 2018

Congress Twitter handle pushes social media video content on protest day

Two state ministers of the BJP have been shielding the mastermind of the gruesome rape & murder of an 8-year-old girl in Kathua, J&K. Will PM Modi act against his own party men who have interfered with bringing the perpetrators to justice? #SpeakUp pic.twitter.com/WJbUYbUGPO

— Congress (@INCIndia) April 13, 2018

‘I only put forward people’s demand for CBI probe’: BJP MLA Chaudhary Charan Singh after quitting as minister

“When we met people they put forward a demand of CBI inquiry, we had simply put it across being people’s representatives. Now, such a perception is being created that I deemed it fit to tender my resignation (as Jammu and Kashmir minister),” Chaudhary Lal Singh told  ANI .

Two BJP ministers resigned after Mehbooba Mufti expressed displeasure on their stand to BJP, says report

The two BJP ministers who supported the rape accused in the Kathua rape case have handed over their resignations, reportedly after Mehbooba Mufti expressed her displeasure to BJP’s central leadership.

Delhi Congress to hold protest across national capital over two rape cases

आज रात को १० बजे, हर ज़िले में उन्नाव एवं कठुआ में रेप के विरोध में, एवं सरकार तथा भाजपा की, जुर्म में संलिप्तता के विरोध में कैंडल लाईट मार्च करेंगे!

ट्वीट में सलग्न हैं, ज़िला-वार, एकत्र होने के स्थान-कृप्या शामिल हों! pic.twitter.com/xmqh1TIoQw

— Ajay Maken (@ajaymaken) April 13, 2018

Omar Abdullah thanks PM Modi for speaking out, finally

Hon PM sir, thank you for speaking in support of the victims of #Kathua & #Unnao and thank you responding to the mood of the people & removing the ministers who supported the #Kathua murderers.

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 13, 2018

BJP leader Ram Madhav leaves for Jammu after 2 BJP ministers resign

BJP’s national general secretary Ram Madhav will leave for Jammu shortly as the news of two ministers resigning from the Mehbooba Mufti cabinet came, India Today report.

Narendra Modi finally breaks silence, says guilty will not be spared 

“Incidents being discussed since past two days cannot be part of a civilised society. As a country, as a society we all are ashamed of it. I want to assure the country that no culprit will be spared, complete justice will be done. Our daughters will definitely get justice,” he said. 

The prime minister was speaking at an event to mark the inauguration of Ambedkar memorial in New Delhi.

Two BJP MLAs who supported Kathua rape accused quit as ministers

Two  BJP Ministers Chaudhary Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga who backed Kathua rape accused have submitted their resignation to Jammu and Kashmir state BJP president Sat Sharma for further action.

PDP calls meeting tomorrow in Srinagar

The PDP leadership will meet on Saturday in Srinagar to discuss the situation emerging following the brutal gangrape and killing of the eight-year-old girl in Kathua, a party spokesman said.

According to PDP sources, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who will chair the meeting, is likely to tell the BJP, a coalition partner in the ruling coalition in the state, to ask its ministers – Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga – to resign.

The two ministers had attended a meeting in the girl’s village in support of the accused in the case and demanded a CBI probe in the matter last month. – PTI

‘Satisfied with investigation’: Jammu and Kashmir DGP SP Vaid
 

Jammu and Kashmir Police chief SP Vaid said he was satisfied with the investigation carried out by the state crime branch, in spite of attempts to destroy evidence during the initial investigations.

“I am satisfied with the investigations and I am sure the people who committed this heinous crime on an eight-year-old child must get severest possible punishment,” Vaid said.

NC demands sacking of BJP ministers defending Kathua rape accused

National Conference on Friday demanded sacking of two BJP ministers for defending the accused in the Kathua rape case.

A party statement said that a day long meeting of the party’s core group at its headquarters on Thursday, chaired by party president Farooq Abdullah and attended by working president Omar Abdullah, discussed “in detail the insensitive handling of the horrific Kathua rape and murder case by the state government”.

Expressing solidarity with the victim’s family, the NC said that it will not cooperate with the state government “until and unless the two erring cabinet ministers are sacked for their unacceptable, abhorrent and criminal behaviour in the light of this tragedy and its politicisation”. – IANS

Muslims in Jammu demand justice in rape case

Members of the Muslim community held peaceful protests on Friday seeking punishment to those involved in the Kathua rape case.

The protest was held under the banner of Shia-Sunni Muslim Itihaad. People from different localities of Jammu assembled at Talab Khatikha area after the Friday prayers. – IANS

Congress to stage nationwide protests against violence against women

The Congress is seeking to take forward the protest against the Kathua and Unnao rape cases and has asked its cadres at state and district headquarters to stage similar demonstrations across the country, demanding justice for the victims.

Sources said Congress president Rahul Gandhi has asked party cadres to organise similar protests on Friday in support of protection of women. – PTI

Jammu and Kashmir DGP assures protection to victim’s family, witnesses

Jammu and Kashmir Police chief SP Vaid asserted that all necessary steps will be taken to provide protection to the family members of the eight-year-old girl, and the witnesses in the case.

“We will do whatever is required and take care of it. Nothing to worry about,” Vaid said when asked about alleged threats to the witnesses, including the family members of the victim. – PTI

AAP to ‘gherao’ prime minister’s residence over Unnao, Kathua rape

The Aam Aadmi Party will ‘gherao’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence on Sunday over what it said was his silence on the rapes in Unnao and Kathua.Addressing the media, senior party leader Gopal

Rai said the party would also launch a country-wide campaign after Sunday on rising attacks against women. He also said the prime minister became silent whenever the country faced trouble. “Why is he silent? What is the reason? Even Manmohan Singh used to speak at times.” – IANS

All India Democratic Students’ Organisation protests in Kolkata over Kathua, Unnao rape cases

#WestBengal: Protest held by All India Democratic Students' Organisation (AIDSO) outside Raj Bhavan in Kolkata over #Unnao & #Kathua rape cases. Police detained the protesters. pic.twitter.com/hJQn0p5d9H

— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2018

Kathua is a crime against humanity: Abhishek Manu Singhvi

Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that Kathua is not just a case of rape but, it is a crime against humanity. “Kathua and Unnao were given a communal twist by the BJP.” He further questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the Kathua and Unnao rape cases.

Kathua is not just a case of rape. It’s a crime against humanity. Kathua and Unnao cases were given a communal twist by BJP: Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Congress #KathuaHorror #UnnaoHorror pic.twitter.com/29SEV6OMba

— News18 (@CNNnews18) April 13, 2018

Students of Aligarh Muslim University protest over Kathua, Unnao rape cases

Aligarh: Students of Aligarh Muslim University protest over #Kathua and #Unnao rape cases. pic.twitter.com/h1789aafO6

— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) April 13, 2018

India waiting for you to speak up on violence against women: Rahul Gandhi to Narendra Modi

Rahul Gandhi hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his silence on violence against women and children, saying it was “unacceptable” and India was waiting for him to speak up.

Mr Prime Minister, your silence is unacceptable.

1. What do YOU think about the growing violence against women & children?

2. Why are accused rapists and murderers protected by the state?

India is waiting.#SpeakUp

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 13, 2018

People gather at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan demanding justice for Kathua rape victim

News18 reported that hundreds of people have gathered at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan to demand justice for the Kathua rape victim. They also want amendments in the POCSO act.

Hundreds of people gather at Mumbai’s Azad Maidan demanding justice for the 8-year-old rape victim in Kathua, say we want amendments in the POCSO Act. They also want the govt to stop supporting such criminals and make sure justice is done. #UnnaoHorror #KathuaHorror pic.twitter.com/i3BuP5flCZ

— News18 (@CNNnews18) April 13, 2018

Supreme Court takes note of incident, issues notices to bar bodies

The Supreme Court directed members of the bar not to obstruct judicial proceedings in the case in Jammu and Kashmir as it took note of lawyers obstructing the victim’s counsel from appearing in court.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices AM Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud sought responses from the Bar Council of India, state bar council, Jammu High Court Bar Association and Kathua district bar association by 19 April.

The apex court agreed to take suo motu cognisance of the case after several lawyers who had mentioned the matter before it came out with materials about the incident.

Victim’s family should get justice: Rajnath Singh

Union minister Rajnath Singh said that the victim’s family should get justice. Singh told reporters that he is in favour of ensuring proper justice to the family of the 8-year-old girl. – PTI

Victim’s family says accused should be hanged

The victim’s family told News18 that they are in a lot of pain and live in constant fear after the incident. “The accused should be hanged,” they added.

#KathuaHorror - Our family is in a lot of pain. We live in constant fear in Kathua. Never felt unsafe in Jammu before. The accused should be hanged till death: Victim's family. pic.twitter.com/mNelQwQJLb

— News18 (@CNNnews18) April 13, 2018

Kathua is a national embarrassment: Waheed Rehman Para, PDP Youth President

Waheed Rehman Para, PDP Youth President told News18, “Kathua is a national embarrassment. The chief minister is monitoring the incident from day one. All people involved have been arrested. We have given proper support to the family. They have met the chief minister and were assured of all support.”

Congress to hold candlelight march at capitals of all the states against Kathua and Unnao rape cases, reports ANI .

SC asks bar associations in Jammu, Kathua not to obstruct judicial proceedings in the Kathua rape case

The apex court has issued notices to four lawyers’ bodies for obstructing the victim’s counsel appearing in the Kathua gangrape and murder case. It has also sought their responses by 19 April.

PTI

‘Mehbooba Mufti wants Centre to take a call on sacking of two ministers’

Quoting sources, CNN-News18 reported that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti wants the Centre to take a call on the action to be taken against BJP ministers for showing support to culprits in the Kathua rape and murder case.

Supreme Court issued notice to Bar Council of India, Jammu and Kashmir Bar Association, Jammu High Court Bar Association and Kathua Bar Association on a plea against lawyers allegedly blocking filing of chargesheet in #KathuaCase

— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2018

Supreme Court issues notice to Bar Council of India, Jammu and Kashmir Bar Association, Jammu High Court Bar Association and Kathua Bar Association on a plea against lawyers allegedly blocking filing of chargesheet, reports ANI .

Oommen Chandy slams Narendra Modi over silence 

Former Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence on the rape and murder of a minor in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district.

In his Facebook post, Chandy said this was one of the worst incidents that the country had witnessed. “Instead of writing slogans of ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padao’, “you should first correct your supporters who have done this ghastly crime to turn into a human being.

“The news of this incident surfaced when you were on fast and by now several hours have passed and you continue to be silent. This is the biggest challenge to our country. 

“It’s not when you wish your friends and others in the US or Europe happy birthday, but when you join the suffering and pain of your own people that you become a leader with a big heart,” said Chandy.

IANS

‘Mehbooba Mufti must decide if she wants supporters of eight-year-old’s murderers in her Cabinet’

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah demanded that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti show her “braveness” by sacking the two BJP ministers who reportedly attended a rally in support of the accused in the Kathua rape and murder case. “The prime minister job is not the decide on Jammu and Kashmir; that is the chief minister’s job. Mehbooba Mufti has to decide if she wants such ministers in her Cabinet who are set to save eight-year-old’s murderers,” Abdullah told reporters.

Ghulam Nabi Azad talks on links with Jammu Bar Association

Addressing BJP’s claim on Congress’ links with the Jammu Bar Association(JBA), senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said, “Yes he(JBA chief BS Slathia) was my polling agent, and also Lal Singh(BJP Jammu and Kashmir minister) was in Congress.They were secular then, but BJP has vitiated the atmosphere so badly in Jammu and Kashmir that these individuals have now turned communal.”

Yes he(Jammu Bar Association chief BS Slathia) was my polling agent, and also Lal Singh(BJP J&K minister) was in Congress, they were secular then but BJP has vitiated the atmosphere so badly in J&K that these individuals have now turned communal: Ghulam Nabi Azad, Congress pic.twitter.com/GT7HqFaG7m

— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2018

Media want investigations to conclude in two minutes: Maneka

Confirming her earlier statement on amending the POCSO Act, Maneka Gandhi slammed media by saying that important decisions aren’t taken in two minutes. 

“Aap log (media) chaahte hain ki 2 minute mein karyavahi ho jaye (You guys want investigations to conclude in two minutes ). Action is being taken by state governments. Also, we are contemplating an amendment in law which awards death penalty to rapists of minors below 12 years of age,” Maneka was quoted as saying by ANI.

Aap log(media) chaahte hain ki 2 minute mein karyavahi ho jaye, action is being taken by state govts. Also, we are contemplating an amendment in law which awards death penalty to rapists of minors below 12 years of age: Maneka Gandhi,Union Minister #UnnaoCase #KathuaCase pic.twitter.com/o0Xwtuo0f5

— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2018

First shout ‘minority minority’, then ‘Dalit Dalit’, and now ‘women women’: BJP’s insensitive rebuttal to Congress

Lekhi further alleged that this was Congress’ plan all along: “…first shout ‘minority minority’, then ‘Dalit Dalit’, and now ‘women women’ and then try to somehow fix blame of state issues on the Centre. All this while ignoring the strict action being taken by state governments. Party (BJP) has already condemned this act, two individuals (BJP Jammu and Kashmir ministers) were mislead and misguided by people. Lesson to them is not to believe one side or the other and let the law take its course.”

You see their plan, first shout 'minority minority', then 'Dalit Dalit', and now 'women women' and then try to somehow fix blame of state issues on the centre. All this while ignoring the strict action being taken by state govts: Meenakshi Lekhi,BJP pic.twitter.com/mR98YPQN1z

— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2018

Party has already condemned this act, 2 individuals (BJP J&K ministers) were mislead & misguided by people. Lesson to them is not to believe one side or the other and let the law take its course: Meenakshi Lekhi, BJP on BJP J&K ministers supporting accused #KathuaCase pic.twitter.com/fTtlYZeJPC

— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2018

Why no candle march for other rape and murder victims, asks Meenakshi Lekhi

“Apart from Kathua and Unnao cases, there was another case in Assam’s Naigon where a Class XII student was raped first and then burnt to death. Why no candle march for her,” Lekhi asked mediapersons. 

Lekhi was speaking on behalf of the ruling government and alleged that Congress is playing dirty political games involving women and children. The BJP spokesperson also alleged misreporting by the media. 

Meenakshi Lekhi says Jammu Bar Association is led by the Congress

Alleging that the Congress is playing “dirty” politics in the country and playing with the future of children and women, BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi said that a fair investigation was conducted in the Kathua murder and rape case. “SIT was formed and six-seven people were arrested. Also, I would like to say it on record that the Jammu Bar Association president BS Slathia was the polling agent of Ghulam Nabi Azad ji,” Lekhi said. 

The Bar Association of Jammu (BAJ), had alleged that its agitation for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the Kathua rape and murder was wrongly being portrayed as “communal”. The Jammu city has been tense since the brutal rape and murder of the eight-year-old girl belonging to the nomadic Muslim Bakharwal community. The police have arrested eight people in the case, but the Bar Association has opposed the action alleging “targeting of minority Dogras”.

A fair probe was done in #Kathuacase. SIT was formed and 6-7 people were arrested. Also, I would like to say it on record that the Jammu Bar Association president BS Slathia was the polling agent of Ghulam Nabi Azad ji: Meenakshi Lekhi,BJP pic.twitter.com/0A2OCT3vgs

— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2018

Twitter outrages over Narendra Modi’s silence in Unnao and Kathua cases

Can we at least have an animated Narendra Modi talking talking about Unnao and Kathua?

Make the figure do Yoga while he's talking, then our PM will share it.

— meghnad 🔗 (@Memeghnad) April 13, 2018

8 men accused for raping 8-year-old Kathua victim: Evidence against them

The Kathua rape victim’s body was found on 17 January after days of brutality. Investigations led the police to the 19-year-old school dropout who had often seen the victim grazing horses, and to his uncle Sanji Ram, who was in charge of the temple where police found forensic evidence.

Medical tests confirmed that the teen, who had first claimed to be 15, was not underage. He confessed, NDTV quoted the police as saying. Accused no.2 is Sanji Ram — a former government official reportedly planned the crime and even kept side a huge amount of money for bribes. He was arrested after the teen’s confession, forensic tests and based on the interrogation of various suspects.

The man who allegedly wanted to rape ***** one more time before she was killed is Special Police Officer Deepak Khajuria, police chargesheet said. He was named in the teen’s statement to the police. Call data records also established his presence at the place where ***** was kept locked in for days.

The fourth accused is another Special Police Officer, Surinder Kumar. Witnesses saw him at the crime scene. Call data records also prove his presence. The teen named his friend Parvesh Kumar, who is the fifth accused. He was one of the men who repeatedly raped the child.

Sanji Ram’s son Vishal Jangotra was arrested on the basis of forensic tests. Vishal, studying in Meerut, travelled to Kathua after a phone-call from the teen who said he could “satisfy his lust”, the police chargesheet said.

Miss my daughter everyday: Father of Kathua rape and murder victim

The Kathua rape victim’s father speaks to ANI: 

“I miss my daughter everyday. Those responsible for killing my daughter should be hanged till death.”

I miss my daughter everyday. Those responsible for killing my daughter should be hanged till death: Father of #Kathua rape and murder victim pic.twitter.com/OGSVdRWxfq

— ANI (@ANI) April 13, 2018

RECAP: 8, including mastermind Sanji Ram, charged with abduction, rape and murder

Eight people, including mastermind Sanji Ram, have been charged with abduction, rape and murder of the eight-year-old girl from the Bakerwal community in Rasana village in January.

Investigations have revealed that the girl was held in a temple, drugged, repeatedly raped and finally murdered to scare the nomadic Muslim community out of the village.

Why should action be not taken against you? Delhi HC issues notices to media houses who disclosed identity of 8-year-old victim

The Delhi High Court on Friday issued notices to several media houses who disclosed identity of Kathua victim, asking them why action should not be taken against the organisations. The high court took up the issue on its own after coming across print and electronic media reports revealing victim’s name.

The law of the land states that the identity of a rape victim cannot be disclosed and those guilty of doing so face be punished under Section 228-A of the Indian Penal Code. However, Jammu and Kashmir is ruled by State Ranbir Penal Code or RPC. Indian Penal Code is not applicable in the Valley under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution.

Thousands of men and women stood up…: tweets Rahul Gandhi

Congress chief Rahul Gandhi tweeted a note of thanks for all those who participated in Thursday’s midnight candlelight vigil. “Thousands of men and women stood up to be counted in the battle for justice and to protest the rising acts of violence against girls and women. I thank each and every one of you for your support. It shall not be in vain.”

Hundreds of Congress workers assembled at the India Gate on the call of their party chief to protest against the “silence” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over rape incidents in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua and Uttar Pradesh’s Unnao, and seek justice for the victims. Several senior Congress leaders, including Ahmed Patel, Ghulam Nabi Azad and Ambika Soni, joined the Thursday midnight candle-light protest. People also gathered at the place in sizeable numbers to express their support.

Thousands of men and women stood up to be counted in the battle for justice and to protest the rising acts of violence against girls and women.

I thank each and every one of you for your support. It shall not be in vain. pic.twitter.com/IWMtQSXV4m

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 13, 2018

We want *****’s tormentors to be hanged, says *****‘s family

Speaking to  News18 , *****’s sister said that the aggrieved family saw the victim’s hand, leg and jaw broken.

“We were not even allowed to bury her in our area. We were forced to consign the body to a grave far away. We want her tormentors to be hanged. We are satisfied with the investigation till now, but justice will only be delivered after those people are hanged,” her sister says, adding that the family has also received threats.