Kathua case: Victim’s lawyer says her life in danger; SC asks J&K govt to provide her and victim’s kin safety

After the lawyer for the Kathua rape and murder victim informed that her life is under threat, the Supreme Court of India on Monday asked the Jammu and Kashmir government to protect the victim’s family member who is assisting in pursuing the case and her lawyer.

A petition filed by the victim’s father seeking the transfer of the trial of the case from Kathua was also considered by the Supreme Court. The court has sought for the response of the Chandigarh government on the matter.

During the trial, the victim’s father informed the court that he is satisfied with the probe which is being carried out by the Jammu and Kashmir police and stated that a CBI enquiry into the case was not necessary.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Dipak Misra and justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud asked the state police to provide adequate security at the observation home where a juvenile accused has been kept and fixed the next date of hearing on April 27.

The bench also made it clear that those officials providing security to the victim’s family must be in plain clothes.