Panel formed to probe Jammu lawyers' conduct in Kathua rape and murder case

Bar Council of India (BCI) said on Sunday that a panel has been formed to probe the actions of Jammu and Kashmir Bar Association lawyers, who had stopped police from filing a chargesheet in the Kathua rape and murder case.

"In the meeting, we decided that a five-member team will investigate the case. The team will go to Kathua and Jammu and talk to people about the conduct of the Bar Association," said Bar Council of India (BCI) chairman Manan Kumar Mishra on the same.

Mishra further said a report based on the investigation will be submitted to the Supreme Court by April 19.

"If any lawyer is found guilty in the case, we have the rights to cancel their license for a lifetime," Mishra further said.

The BCI chairman also said the bar association has been asked to withdraw its strike.

The recent investigation into the January incident has unfolded the gory details of the crime that was allegedly committed inside a temple where the girl was sedated, raped a multiple times, and later murdered and thrown in the woods.

In connection with the case, two FIRs have been filed: one against eight people for allegedly being involved in the crime and another has been filed against a group of lawyers who had allegedly stopped the police from filing chargesheet against the eight accused.

Two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ministers leaders, Chandra Prakash Ganga and Lal Singh, have also resigned following accusations of attending a rally in support of the miscreants responsible for the crime.

The alleged gangrape and murder of the eight-year-old girl, who belonged to nomadic Bakerwal community took place in the Kathua district in January. After being missing for a week, her body was found on January 17.

The chargesheet has revealed gory details about the crime and this has led to a public outcry in various parts of the country.