Top News
SC orders security for Kathua rape victim’s family, others (Second Lead)
New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Monday ordered adequate security for the Kathua rape victim’s family, their lawyer Deepika Singh Rajawat and others and sought the Jammu and Kashmir government’s response to a plea for the transfer of the trial of the case to Chandigarh.
A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice A. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud directed the state to provide adequate security also to Rajawat’s family as well as Talib Hussain — a member of the Bakerwal community who is helping the victim’s family.
As an interim measure, the court directed that Jammu and Kashmir government “shall keep the security, as provided to the family members of the victim, in continuity; provide security to Ms. Deepika Singh Rajawat and her family members; and that protection shall be provided to Mr. Talib Hussain, who is assisting the victim’s family in prosecution of the grievance by remaining present in the Court or engaging counsel to assist the public prosecutor”.
The court said that the security so provided would be in plainclothes.
The court order came on the eight-year-old girl’s father’s plea who sought transfer of the trial in the case from Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir to Chandigarh and protection to the family in the face of threats.
Rajawat alleged that she was labelled ‘anti-Hindu’ and was facing a social boycott for taking up the case of the child rape victim, who was kidnapped in January from Rasana village in Hiranagar tehsil of Kathua and was later found murdered.
Senior counsel Indira Jaising, representing the girl’s father, expressed satisfaction over the investigation and told the apex court that they wanted the transfer of the trial to ensure that it was fair.
She told the court that a charge-sheet has been filed and there was a possibility of a supplementary charge-sheet also being filed.
Jaising told the court that a fair trial is an inseparable facet of Article 21 of the Constitution, and there is an apprehension in the mind of the petitioner, the biological father of the victim, that there would be no fair trial as there have been protests by the members of the Bar.
The senior counsels also flagged the issue of witness protection.
The apex court directed the next hearing on April 27.
All eight accused in the Kathua rape-murder case were presented on Monday before Kathua Chief Judicial Magistrate A.S. Langeh amid tight security as the trial began.
The eight include Sanji Ram, a former revenue official and the alleged mastermind of the heinous crime.
The trial court will hear the matter on April 28.
–IANS
pk/qd/bg
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.