Demanding the transfer of the sex racket case from Srinagar to Jammu to ensure "a fair trial in a secure environment", members of the local bar association began an indefinite strike in Jammu on Thursday.
"From today, the Jammu Bar Association has begun an indefinite strike in support of its demand for shifting of the sex scam case, in which two former ministers and others with a high degree of security threat are involved, from Srinagar to Jammu to ensure a fair trail," association secretary Abhinav Sharma told reporters after a meeting of its general body.
The association, which passed a resolution on this issue, said its strike would continue till the case is transferred to Jammu, where there is a "secure, free and fair environment for the trail".
It also asked the Jammu and Kashmir High Court to stop monitoring the case and to allow the CBI to investigate the scandal properly, Sharma said, adding the association felt there would not be a "fair trial" in Srinagar.
Twelve people, including former state additional advocate general Anil Sethi, have so far been arrested in connection with the racket. The CBI has filed a chargesheet against nine of them in a Srinagar court.
{{/usCountry}}Twelve people, including former state additional advocate general Anil Sethi, have so far been arrested in connection with the racket. The CBI has filed a chargesheet against nine of them in a Srinagar court.
{{/usCountry}}Anil Sethi's brother Sunil, a prominent lawyer, had yesterday claimed that he was threatened when he went to Srinagar to represent Anil in court. The bar association here had struck work following this.
The Jammu Bar Association, in its resolution, charged its counterpart in Srinagar of "dictating terms" in the case.
The strike by the lawyers paralysed work in all courts here for the second day on Thursday.