J&K sex scam: Court rejects plea for further examination of victim

Ishrat S Banwait

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 2

A plea to recall the prosecutrix for further examination was denied by the court in the Jammu and Kashmir sex scandal case. All accused had moved the application, which was declined by the special court, citing an amendment in the CrPC. The court said the prosecutrix could not be recalled once her statement was recorded to avoid harassment.

The scandal was unearthed in 2006 after the police discovered two video CDs, showing sexual exploitation of Kashmiri women. The police questioned two girls, including the prosecutrix, and the alleged kingpin. After grilling them, they rounded up 56 people, involved in the racket. The case was transferred to the CBI whose investigation unearthed a massive sex scandal involving ministers and influential men. The case was transferred by the Supreme Court to Chandigarh in the same year.

Among those named by the CBI in its chargesheet were KS Padhi, former DIG of the BSF; Mohammad Ashraf Mir, former Deputy Superintendent of Police; and Advocate RP Sethi, along with six others. They were charged under Section 376 of the RPC and Section 5 of the Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act. The kingpin was also charged with criminal conspiracy.

The prosecutrix had approached the kingpin for monetary help and as per the chargesheet, her drink was laced with sedatives. As a result, she was made to indulge in sexual acts.

However, as the investigation progressed, most accused were acquitted.