JK police files FIR against lawyers for obstructing Crime Branch from filing charge sheet in Asifa rape, murder case

Srinagar, April 11: The Jammu and Kashmir police taking a stringent action against a group of lawyers for obstructing Crime Branch from filing charge sheet in Asifa rape and murder case filed an FIR on Tuesday. Notably, a group of lawyers of Kathua Bar Association on Monday tried to prevent CBI from filing a charge sheet against seven accused in rape and murder of an 8-year-old girl in a court in Kathua district. 

The Crime Branch of Jammu and Kashmir police filed the charge sheet against the eight accused including two Special Police Officers (SPOs), a police Sub-Inspector and a Head-Constable in the Magistrate court despite obstruction caused by a group of lawyers. Shockingly, the judge of Magistrate court also obstructed police in accepting the charge sheet.

The FIR was registered against the Kathua lawyers under sections 353 (assault or use of criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duty, 147 (rioting), 341 (wrongful restraint) of Ranbir Penal Code.

While talking to media, Jammu and Kashmir DGP SP Vaid confirmed that FIR has been registered against lawyers of Kathua Bar Association for preventing the Crime Branch from filing a charge sheet against the accused in the court of CJM Kathua. He said, “Yes we have lodged an FIR and action will be taken against them."

An 8-year old girl Asifa Bano went missing while grazing horses in Rasana village of Hiranagar tehsil of Kathua on January 17 this year. Unfortunately, her body was found in woods near her village a week later.