Sex racket: HC orders CBI to identify people

Srinagar, May 19: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court today ordered the CBI to conduct an identification parade of the people named by the accused as those involved in the alleged sex racket case that has rocked the Valley for the past few weeks.

A Division Bench, comprising Justice Hakim Imtiyaz Hussain and Justice Bashir Ahmad Kirmani, directed the CBI to conduct an identification parade in presence of a magistrate the people named by the alleged kingpin, Sabeena, of the racket and the minor girl who was part of it, in their statements.

It said once the identity of the people was established, necessary action should be initiated against them.

The bench also cancelled bail of the people accused in the case.

Two people -- Riyaz Ahmad Langoo and Naseer Ahmad -- were released by a local court on bail in March.

It directed the Director General of Police to provide all assistance to the CBI in this regard and also provide protection to the girls whose named allegedly figured in the sex racket.

The bench ordered that any person arrested in the sex scandal case by the CBI should not be bailed out by the subordinate courts without bringing the matter to its notice.

The court had earlier asked the CBI to complete the identification parade by Tuesday on the next date of hearing, but later conceded to Assistant Solicitor General Shabir Naik's plea that the time was not enough for the entire process.

The bench then said the CBI should file a report on Tuesday giving status of the progress made on its orders.

The court also asked CBI to probe the management of some guest houses and hotels as the names of their business establishments had figured in the statements of the women in which they had reportedly named 56 people, including politicians, police and security officials and bureaucrats besides 42 girls involved in the racket.

The bench directed the CBI to complete the investigations of Sabeena by Tuesday.

The CBI assured the court that it would conduct a fair, impartial and speedy probe into the case.

UNI