While ordering a day-to-day trial to be held in front of the camera, the apex court has transferred the Kathua rape and murder case trial to Pathankot in Punjab.
The Jammu and Kashmir government, which is against the transfer, had submitted to the Supreme Court that it was ready for a fair trial within the state, media reports said.
The court ruled out any CBI inquiry into the case for now, reported PTI.
However, a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra accepted the plea by the victim’s father and transferred the case out of Kathua and reportedly said, “Free and fair cannot be allowed to exist together.”
The court also allowed J-K government to appoint a public prosecutor against the accused during the trial at Pathankot, the report added.
The trial will reportedly be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Ranbir Penal Code, which is applicable in Jammu and Kashmir.
The state was also asked to provide security to victim’s family, their lawyer and witnesses, while the translation of statements and records will be done from Urdu to English.
“The security provided to the juvenile accused will continue,” a bench, which also comprised Justices D Y Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra, reportedly said and posted the matter for further hearing in July when the apex court reopens after the summer vacation.
The Pathankot District and Sessions Judge been asked to personally undertake trial proceedings, the report said.
