All eight accused in Kathua rape and murder case pleaded not guilty on Monday and asked the district and sessions judge to conduct a narco test.
According to media reports, the Kathua district and sessions judge has directed the state Crime Branch to provide copies of chargesheet to accused.
The next date of hearing is April 28.
Meanwhile, the juvenile arrested in the Kathua rape and murder case has moved a bail application before the judicial magistrate, which will be heard later on Monday. A separate chargesheet was filed against the accused juvenile.
The Jammu and Kashmir government has appointed two special public prosecutors, both Sikhs, for the trial in the sensitive case, a move being seen as made to ensure “neutrality” in view of Hindu-Muslim polarisation over the case.
Earlier today, the Supreme Court said that it will hear later in the day a plea by the father of Kathua rape and murder case seeking transfer of trial to Chandigarh from Jammu.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra directed the hearing of the matter to 2 p.m.
Dipika Singh Rajawat, lawyer of victim’s father, sought the transfer of trial from Kathua to Chandigarh, as she said she has been facing threats.
(With agency inputs)