The Hindu : National : CBI to probe J&K sex scandal

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Wednesday, May 03, 2006

National

National

CBI to probe J&K sex scandal

Shujaat Bukhari

It allegedly involves politicians, bureaucrats and police officers

SRINAGAR: The controversy over the alleged involvement of politicians, bureaucrats, businessmen and a number of police officers in a sex scandal in Jammu and Kashmir has finally forced the Government to hand over the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

The decision to hand over the case followed a letter by Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig to Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad urging him to give the case to the CBI, arguing that police investigations might not be credible in the wake of some officers being named by some of the girls questioned in this connection.

The scandal involving 46 to 100 young girls and scores of police officers in the rank of Superintendent of Police and DSP besides two former Ministers and businessmen hit the headlines of local newspapers, causing uproar. From Dukhtaran-e-Millat chief Asiya Andrabi to PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Geelani to Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, the resentment is palpable.

Ms. Andrabi accused the Government of patronising the "flesh trade" as a matter of policy. Ms. Mufti said it was a "black spot" on an otherwise very cultured society of Kashmir. National Conference leader Ali Mohammad Sagar demanded that all those involved in threatening the social set-up of Kashmir be exposed. On Tuesday, students of the Islamia College took to the streets demanding stern action against those involved in the racket.

Sleaze CD

Two months back, some people from a locality in Srinagar approached the police and handed over a compact disc to the police. After the registration of an FIR, the investigations suggested that it was a nude scene shot on a mobile phone. The victim was later arrested and it was found that she was a student of eighth standard and that she was drugged, raped and forced into prostitution. She had to give up her studies. A young man, according to sources, was instrumental in filming the scene but was let free within minutes after his arrest on the intervention of a senior officer.

Professionals

"The kingpins in the racket are professionals but most of the girls they exploit are either forced into the trade by blackmail, intimidation or by giving assurances of employment and business," one such young college girl, who appeared veiled on TV, said. She claimed she herself was forced into the trade after her militant brother was slain and her family house frequently raided. She maintained that she had volunteered all help to the police, but it failed to create an impact as the racketeers were strong and influential.

"It is a strong nexus of police, politicians and the surrendered militants," she said adding that the groups operated through a couple of beauty parlours, certain spots on the outskirts besides offices and the official residences. She talked of a group that "supplies" girls to Delhi and claims knowledge of how politicians shower favours on these pimps. The young woman has already named over 20 influential people. One of the main accused in the case has been arrested.

Even as the case has been handed over to the CBI, people have apprehensions about the outcome as the scandal has surfaced thrice in the last three years, but hushed up. However, the Inspector- General of Police, Kashmir zone, Rajendra Kumar, said: "Nobody will be spared and whosoever is involved will be punished."

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