Sex racket accused call off hunger strike in Central Jail

Srinagar, July 9 (UNI) The sex racket case accused, including former Jammu and Kashmir ministers Ghulam Ahmed Mir and Raman Mattoo, have called off their indefinite hunger strike after the Central jail officials forwarded their demands to the authorities concerned.

The accused, arrested by the CBI in connection with the sex racket case and lodged in the Central Jail here on judicial remand, had gone on an indefinite hunger strike yesterday against what they called ''denial of fair trial''.

Central Jail Superintendent Mohammad Sultan told UNI that the accused called off the hunger strike last night after their requests (demands) were forwarded to the authorities concerned.

The accused had reportedly written to the Central Jail Superintendent, alleging they were being treated like criminals and denied services of counsel for defence.

The accused also alleged that they were not being provided with adequate security while being taken to the court, and instead were handcuffed.

Besides the two former ministers and sitting legislators, the other high-ups arrested by the CBI in connection with the sex scandal are senior IAS officer and Principal Secretary in the Planning and Development Department Mohammad Iqbal Khanday, sacked state Additional Advocate General Anil Sethi, BSF DIG K C Padhi, Jammu and Kashmir Police DSPs Mohammad Ashraf Mir and Mohammad Yousuf Mir.

UNI AG PK RN1317