J&K sex scandal trial begins

The trial of those chargesheeted in the sex scandal in Srinagar began in a sessions court on Tuesday even as Jammu and Kashmir High Court ordered the state government to provide secure accommodation to the minor girl allegedly exploited in the case.

The high court also authorised the sessions court to choose the trial venue to ensure safety of witnesses and the accused in the case. Only lawyers were allowed to attend the court of Sessions Judge M Yaqoob Mir while the rest of the people, including the media were asked to leave the courtroom.

There were no formal orders for in-camera trial of the chargesheeted persons, including DIG of Border Security Force K C Padhi, former Additional Advocate-General Anil Sethi, a police officer and the alleged kingpin Sabeena. The next hearing was set for Saturday.

Justices Hakim Imtiyaz Hussain and B A Kirmani of the court's Srinagar Bench, meanwhile, directed the government to arrange 'adequate and secure accomodation' for the minor girl within a week and 'if required, provide her with a personal security officer' till further orders.

On Monday, they queried the Advocate-General of the state about the steps that had been taken by the high-level committee constituted for rehabilitation of the victims of the case. The judges observed 'no substantial headway' had been made in the probe and asked the Central Bureau of Investigation to ensure attendance of those 'evading participation in the investigation.'