Jammu and Kashmir government's decision to hand over the Shopian double rape-cum-murder case to CBI invoked mixed reaction in Srinagar with a lawyers association opposing the move while the body spearheading the agitation pinning hope on the investigating agency.
High Court Bar Association, which had filed a PIL in the case, said the government's move to recommend CBI probe into the case was "questionable" as it was in contradiction with the state laws.
"As per the J and K criminal procedure code, the case cannot be transferred to an agency other than state police till the High Court, which is monitoring the investigations, concludes that police had failed to investigate the case properly," HCBA president Mian Abdul Qayoom said.
"Transferring the case to the CBI is contempt of the High Court in light of its August 28 judgement wherein it had adjourned the case till September 30. The court didn't permit the government to hand over the case to the CBI," he argued.
Qayoom alleged that CBI had "shielded the culprits in the infamous sex scandal of 2006".
{{/usCountry}}Qayoom alleged that CBI had "shielded the culprits in the infamous sex scandal of 2006".
{{/usCountry}}Majlis-e-Mushawarat, a group formed after the alleged rape and murder of 17-year-old Asiya and Neelofar (22) on May 29, hoped that the Central agency would bring the criminals to the book.
"We want criminals to be named, no matter which agency investigates the case," MM spokesman Mohammad Shafi Khan said.
The state government yesterday approached the Centre for ordering a CBI probe into the case after the Special Investigating Team failed to make any breakthrough into it.