JKHC allows custodial interrogation of sex scandal accused

Srinagar, May 29 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir High Court today asked the CBI to complete the identification of people allegedly involved in the sex racket before the next date of hearing and allowed the investigating agency to conduct custodial interrogation of the accused.

Giving several directions on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Kashmir Bar Association (KBA), a division bench comprising Justice Hakeem Imtiyaz Hussain and Justice Bashir Ahmed Kirmani also extended the time for identification of the people involved in the scandal till the next date of hearing on June 2.

It asked the CBI to complete the identification of the people named by 15-year-old Yasmeena, one of the victims of the sex racket, before the next date of hearing.

For smooth and effective investigations, the court said the CBI was at liberty to conduct the custodial interrogation of any person named by Yasmeena and the alleged kingpin, Sabeena, as allegedly involved in the sex racket before or after the identity parade.

The bench also directed the CBI to complete the statement of Sabeena before the next date of hearing.

The CBI was free to proceed against any person who fail or refuse to report for the identification parade, it directed and asked the premier investigating agency to take note of all media reports pertaining to the scandal.

The court also directed the CBI to widen and speed up its probe into the sex racket, saying four teams of investigators be formed for effectively investigating the case.

The CBI would make inquiries of hotels, guest houses and people named by Sabeena and Yasmeena, it said and ordered that no person, including her parents, would be allowed access to Yasmeena till investigations were over.

The court also directed that in-camera proceedings would be held on the next date of hearing and called upon media to show restraint in highlighting any unverified name or fact related to the case.

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