Monitor News Bureau
SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti Thursday gave a cold response to the BJP ministers demand for a Central Bureau Investigation probe into the Kathua rape and murder case.
Amid differences between ruling parties on contentious issues, a delegation of the BJP ministers Thursday met Chief Minister, seeking transferring of Kuthua rape and murder case to the CBI.
A source privy to the meeting said the Chief Minister told the BJP ministers to wait for the Crime Branch probe into the case, a clear signal that she was not keen on sending the case to the CBI.
A BJP leader, who was a part of the meeting, said the Chief Minister refused to transfer the case to the CBI.
“The Chief Minister did not accept the demand of the BJP. She said the court shall decide the case, so that culprits are punished,” the BJP leader said.
BJP Minister Bali Bhagat said that they met the Chief Minister and apprised her about various issues.
“We told the Chief Minister that mistakes have been committed in investigations of the Kuthua incident. We told her that people want CBI probe so that case shall be referred to this investigating agency,” Bhagat, who is Health and Medical Education Minister, said.
“The Chief Minister said that 95 percent investigation into the case has been completed. She said that challan will be presented in the High Court within two days and court shall decide the case,” he said.
The murder and rape of Kuthua Muslim girl has divided the ruling parties of the state. The BJP has been demanding transferring of case to the CBI and criticising the role of the Crime Branch.
The PDP has accused the BJP of “communalising” the Kuthua incident.
On January 17, body of a Muslim girl was found in the forests near Rasana, Hiranagar. A minor, the girl had been missing for a week.
According to police, she had been abducted and raped, while media reports later revealed that she had been even drugged to prevent her from seeking any help.
On January 23, the Mehbooba Mufti government had ordered a probe into the incident, and subsequently handed over the case to the Crime Branch of police.
Bhagat said the BJP leaders also raised the issue of “fabricated” minutes of the meeting document framed by the Tribal Affairs Department.
“On February 14, Tribal Affairs Department held a review meeting under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister. But the Tribal Affairs Department have included various things in the document that were not discussed in the meeting, which she also admitted,” the BJP minister said.
He said a cabinet subcommittee has been formulated headed by Deputy Chief Minister on Tribal Policy.
“Once the report is submitted to the government, the cabinet will discuss it,” he said.
Mehbooba Mufti, according to the record note of the meeting to review the working of Tribal Affairs Ministry, had directed the authorities not to dislocate the tribals across the state till a Tribal Policy was formulated.
“Nothing of that sort was discussed. The government is committed to dislocate the land grabbers,” he said.
Bhagat said that BJP also discussed various administrative issues with the government.
“A committee headed by Chief Secretary will frame a comprehensive plan and submit its recommendations over appointments of ADCs,” he added.
