Challan in rape and murder of minor produced in a Kashmir court

Srinagar , Sep 18 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir police today produced a challan in a local court against four accused persons, including two non-locals in connection with the rape and murder of a minor girl in North Kashmir.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Dr Hasseb Mughal said the challan was produced against all the accused persons in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM), Handwara after completing the investigation.

The accused persons are Azher Ahmad Mir alias Billa Mohammad, Sadiq Mir alias Saada Choor, (both locals), Jehangir alias Jehangir Behari, son of Siraj Din, resident of Malda district, West Bengal, and Suresh Kumar alias Suresh Moochi, son of Sultan Ram, resident of Jhunjhunu district (Rajasthan).

He said that the challan was produced in the court within fifty eight days in which 86 persons stand as witnesses.

Tabinda, a minor, was abducted and later raped and killed by the accused when she was on her way home from school on July 20.

The investigation was conducted by the SDPO Manzoor Ahmad during which about 16 suspects were rounded up.

However, the four accused persons confessed their involvement in the incident which rocked the entire Kashmir and the State Legislative Assembly and Council.

The opposition demanded the setting up of a speedy court to conduct the trial.

Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad also announced that he will take up the matter with the state Chief Justice to set up the speedy trial court.

A number of separatist leaders and organisations demanded that all outsiders should leave the Valley after the incident. However, Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani later clarified that only those having criminal background should be forced to leave.

About 20,000 non-locals, working as labourers and other workers left the Valley after the threat. However, the majority stayed back after members of the Legislative Assembly assured them that they will be safe here.

UNI