Crime Branch of Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday produced accused juvenile before the Juvenile Justice Board at Kathua for trial in Rasana rape-and-murder case.
The juvenile’s age is yet to be determined by the Jammu andKashmir High Court. The High Court has listed the case for hearing on 5 August.
Even as the juvenile was produced before the JJB, the CrimeBranch could not produce any eyewitness against him for second time. Thespecial public prosecutor was also present in the court.
Pertinently, the juvenile has been charge-sheeted as mainaccused in the rape-and-murder of minor nomad girl.
The Juvenile Justice Board has fixed 14 August as next dateof trial against the juvenile, nine days after the High Court of Jammu andKashmir will determine his age.
The Crime Branch has been contesting the age of juvenile asadult, while the defense lawyers claim that he is not adult. Hence, the CBalongwith medical and municipal records have approached the High Court in thisregard.
Meanwhile, Punjab and Haryana High Court has fixed next dateof hearing on 7 August where all the seven accused persons have been summonedby the Court. A total of eight persons were held guilty, but one could not bepunished in the special court as his age was yet to be determined.
Rest, seven accused persons including Sanji Ram, DeepakKhajuria and Parvesh Kumar – were given life sentence and three other policeofficials were awarded five years each sentence for destroying the evidences.
Meanwhile, Vishal Jangotra, son of Sanji Ram resident ofRasana in Hiranagar (Kathua) was acquitted by the Pathankot special court asprosecution failed to prove his involvement in the heinous crime.
To enhance their sentence and again prove involvement ofJangotra, the prosecution has approached Haryana and Punjab High Court. Thefamily members of the victim girl have demanded death sentence for Sanji Ram,Deepak Khajuria and Parvesh Kumar and life sentence for three police officialswho destroyed the evidences to help the accused.