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CBI
to probe Kashmir sex scandal
New
Delhi: A 12-member Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
team led by Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Pankaj Kumar Singh
dispatched to Kashmir on Thursday to probe a sex scandal allegedly
involving minor girls. "The CBI team will carry out investigation
with promptitude and utmost transparency however high and
mighty the culprits may be. The team also has women members
in it," G Mohanty, CBI spokesman said. The state government
has handed over investigation of the scandal to CBI. The restive
Himalayan region has been witnessing protests since last week
after newspapers and television channels reported details
of a racket, which they allege, provided prostitutes for local
politicians, police officers and bureaucrats. An angry mob
had ransacked the house of a woman suspected of running the
prostitution ring, before razing it to the ground and setting
fire to her belongings. Police detained the woman and three
others for questioning after pornographic videos and video
clips on mobile phones showing nude Kashmiri girls were circulated
in Srinagar. Prostitution is illegal in India. Police have
arrested several people over the past years on charges of
being involved in the crime in Kashmir.
Srinagar
HC admits PIL on sex scandal
Srinagar: The Srinagar High Court today admitted a petition
seeking a thorough probe into the sex scandal involving politicians,
police officers and bureaucrats. The Public Interest Litigation
(PIL) was filed by the Jammu and Kashmir Bar Association and
posted it for hearing by a division bench. "Since it is a
case of public interest, therefore it should be referred to
division bench. We indicated the learned judge, Intiaz Hussain,
civil judge of High Court, keeping in view the sensitivity
of the matter. This should be placed before the Honourable
Chief Judge for constituting a special division bench for
hearing this matter," said, Mian Qayoomm, office bearer of
Jammu and Kashmir Bar Association. "After hearing Advocate
General and considering our submission, the learnt judge has
been of the opinion that, yes it is a matter of Public Interest
Litigation, since it involves interests of the people. It
should be heard by division bench," Qayoomm added.
The
Kashmir Valley has been witnessing protests for the past one
week after newspapers and television channels reported details
of a racket, which they allege, provided prostitutes for local
politicians, police officers and bureaucrats. The State Government
has handed over investigation of the scandal to Central Bureau
of Investigation (CBI), which has started investigations into
the matter. The city has been going through a series of protests
by rebel groups, lawyers, and women's organisations seeking
a thorough probe to identify and punish persons involved in
the sex scandal. "We appeal the government that those involved
in such a heinous act should be behind the bars. Now, the
probe is in the court. If it is not done effectively then
Kashmir Traders Federation will take the matter in its hand,"
said, Sadiq Balaya, member of Traders Federation. Police detained
the woman and three others for questioning after pornographic
videos and video clips on mobile phones showing nude Kashmiri
girls were circulated in Srinagar. An angry mob had ransacked
the house Sabina, the woman suspected of running the prostitution
ring, before razing it to the ground and setting fire to her
belongings.