EC gives BJP, Cong one week’s time to respond to poll code violations
The poll panel on Saturday wrote to BJP president J P Nadda and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge seeking their comments over the matter by 1 pm on Monday.
Angry protesters, who were demanding a CBI probe into Kathua rape and murder case, stoned BJP Minister Sham Lal Choudhary’s cavalcade on Saturday on the Jammu-Pathankot highway.
The incident happened when the protesters tried to block the highway and when the state minister’s cavalcade did not stop, the angry protesters pelted stones at the cavalcade.
Families of the Kathua case accused have been demanding a CBI probe into the horrendous abduction, rape and murder of an 8-year old in Rasana village of Kathua district.
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The state Crime Branch has already presented a charge sheet in the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate Kathua against eight accused.
Two BJP ministers, Choudhary Lal Singh and Chander Prakash Ganga, had to resign from the cabinet following their participation in a rally that was held in support of the accused.
BJP leader Rajiv Jasrotia, who also reportedly attended the rally organised by the Hindu Ekta Manch to defend the accused, was elevated as a minister in the Jammu and Kashmir cabinet last week.
The brutal rape and murder case of the minor girl had sparked nationwide anger as people demanded justice.
The child had disappeared on January 10 and her body was found on 17 January. She was reportedly held captive inside a temple and was sedated before being raped, tortured and murdered.
The trial in the case is currently on hold after the Supreme Court stayed proceedings until 7 May.
The apex court is hearing a plea filed by the Kathua rape and murder victim’s father, seeking that the trial be moved outside Jammu and Kashmir, while two of the accused in the case has urged the Supreme Court to transfer the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation. The Supreme Court will hear these requests on 7 May.
(With agency inputs)
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