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Kathua rape-murder trial shifted to Pathankot (Second Lead)
New Delhi, May 7 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Monday transferred to Pathankot the trial of the brutal rape and murder of an eight-year-old nomadic girl in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua because “fear and fair trial can’t exist together”.
A bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra, Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice Indu Malhotra also ordered in-camera and day-to-day trial in the case that has caused global outrage.
The court said an in-camera trial was being ordered to ensure that witnesses feel protected and the accused feel safe. The top court said it would monitor the case and its trial from time to time and posted the matter for next hearing on July 9.
“Fair trial is sacrosanct principle under Article 21 (right to life) of the Constitution,” the Supreme Court observed in the order transferring the case to Pathankot, which is 25 km away from Kathua across the border with Punjab.
The bench said the Pathankot District and Sessions judge would hold the trial while the Jammu and Kashmir government was allowed to appoint public prosecutor.
The apex court said the trial would be conducted according to the provisions of the Ranbir Penal Code, a criminal code applicable in Jammu and Kashmir.
The state government was also asked to provide security to the victim’s family, their lawyer and witnesses.
The decision to transfer the trial from Kathua came after a plea from the victim’s father.
The minor girl from nomadic goatherds went missing on January 10 when she was grazing horses close to her home in Rasana village near Kathua in the Jammu region. Her raped body was found in the same area a week later.
The Crime Branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police, which investigated the case and has already filed charges, said eight people were involved in the crime. The accused include two policemen, a juvenile and a former Indian Revenue Service officer.
Lawyer-activist Deepika Singh Rajawat, who pleaded for the victim’s father, said the family of the minor was being threatened.
Rajawat also alleged that members of the Jammu Bar Association had threatened her, asking her not to appear in the case. The association denied the allegation.
Two of the accused had filed a separate plea, seeking the trial in the case to be held in Jammu and the probe handed over to the CBI.
But the top court refused to examine the plea for handing over the investigation to the CBI.
Chief Justice Misra said the probe has been done, charges already filed by the Crime Branch on April 9 but was always open for supplementary investigation, “if required”.
“When chargesheet is filed, why should we want another agency?” Justice Misra asked.
Senior advocate Indira Jaising, who appeared for the victim’s father, argued that the police had done a “good job”. She described the demand for a CBI probe as an “attempt to unscramble a scrambled egg”.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba welcomed the Supreme Court’s refusal to transfer the case to the CBI.
“This will go a long way to boost the morale of our police force who in the face of great adversity have left no stone unturned to ensure that the deceased’s family gets justice,” she tweeted.
–IANS
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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.
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
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