Kathua rape and murder: Case handed over to Crime Branch, says Govt

Jammu January 23 (KMW): The government of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday said that the case of murder and rape of minor Kathua girl has been handed over to the Crime Branch.
An 8-year-old girl was abducted on January 12 from near her home in Rasana. She was allegedly sexually abused before her dead body was recovered in forest area around 3 KMs away from her home.
As soon as the question hour ended, Abdul Rehman Veeri Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Revenue stood up from their seat informed the Legislative Assembly that in connection with the murder of minor girl, the case has been handed over to Crime Branch.
Veeri said the agency will start a fresh probe into the incident.
Her death has triggered protests inside and outside the Assembly, with protesters and the opposition seeking action against the police for “not making efforts” to trace her after she was abducted.
Earlier the government ordered the magisterial inquiry into the case and also suspended the SHO Hiranagar.