Accused in J&K sex-scandal case brought to book

Oct 09: In relation to the sex scandal exposed in February 2006 in Jammu and Kashmir, the High Court of the state ordered the central investigating agency to start legal proceedings against the accused in the case.

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Justice Basher Ahmad Kirmani of Jammu-Kashmir High Court ordered CBI to present all records and evidences against the accused ministers and high officials before the chief judicial magistrate within six weeks.

Transport minister, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, an MLA from People’s Democratic Party ((PDP), Ghulam Hassan Khan, congress legislator Yogesh Sahani, two superintendents of police, Ashkoor Wani and Sheikh Mehmood, and DIG, Niaz Mehmood have been named as accused in the case by the court.

In 2006 the scandal came to the surface with seizure of a CD by the police which showed a minor girl in objectionable and indecent condition. Then the fact of her rape by various persons came to light. The involvement of various politicians, high government officials along with businessmen in exploiting minor girls was discovered by the investigations. Former minister Ghulam Ahmad Mir and Raman Matto, IAS officer Iqbal Khanday, DIG BSF K C Padhi were arrested and facing trial at Chandigarh court.

The issue stirred the valley last year and people ransacked the house of the lady alleged to run the sex-racket.

High court also ordered CBI to carry out speedy investigations of the involvement of two other suspects, M Y Khan former J&K Bank chairman and Raj Tickoo, Additional Director General and fixed the date of next hearing on November 26.

Meanwhile the accused MLA of People’s Democratic Party, Hassan Khan has been suspended from the membership of the party.

It was being considered a tough task for chief minister due to close proximity of the MLA to the chief minister.

Court also directed the action to be taken against those hotels and guest houses which were used as the site for committing the crime and for the rehabilitation of the victims.