Kathua rape and murder case : Accused plead not guilty, ask for narco test ; next hearing on April 28
Srinagar, Apr 16 (IBNS) : All the accused in the Kathua rape and murder case on Monday pleaded not guilty and asked for narco test as the trial for the gruesome incident that shook the nation began on Monday.
According to reports, the court directed that the charge sheet copies should be provided to all accused and fixed the date of next haring on April 28.
The trial has begun against eight accused, including a juvenile.
The reports said that the arrested juvenile has moved bail application before the judicial magistrate which is scheduled to be heard later on Monday.
The accused allegedly held an eight-year-old girl in captivity in a small village temple in Kathua district for a week in January during which she was allegedly kept sedated and sexually assaulted before being bludgeoned to death.
Meanwhile, The father of the victim has approached the Supreme Court seeking the transfer of the case outside Jammu and Kashmir.
The father has sought safety and security even as the trial began in Kathua today. The Supreme Court has agreed to hear the plea at pm today.
As the incident triggered a political storm across the country, , Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday accepted the resignation of two cabinet ministers- Lal Singh and CP Ganga- who took part in a rally supporting those accused of raping and killing a young girl in Kathua.
The resignations of Forest Minister Lal Singh and Industries Minister CP Ganga were earlier handed over to Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti.
Candle light marches were conducted in several Indian cities on Sunday to protest against the alleged rape incidents in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua and Unnao area in Uttar Pradesh.
Marches took place in New Delhi and Mumbai, apart from several other Indian cities.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has appointed two special public prosecutors, both Sikhs, for the trial in the sensitive case, which has assued a communal overtone, to ensure "neutrality", reports said.
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