Apex court: May transfer Kathua trial

New Delhi, April 26 

The Supreme Court on Thursday hinted at shifting the Kathua gangrape and murder trial from J&K , saying it would do so if there was the “slightest possibility” of lack of fair trial.

“If we find the slightest possibility of lack of fair trial, we will transfer the case (out of Jammu and Kashmir),” a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra said.

“The real concern of this court is to see that a fair trial is done and the trial is fair to the accused as well as the family members of the victim,” said the Bench, which also included Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice DY Chandrachud, after a Bar Council of India committee headed by a former HC judge backed the demand for a CBI probe in the matter.

The BCI panel gave a clean chit to the Kathua Bar Association, saying its members did not obstruct the police or victim family’s lawyers.

The Bench said it would not digress from the main issue of ensuring a fair trial. If the advocates were at fault, they will be dealt with in accordance with the law, it said. — TNS