Date:25/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/25/stories/2006062503141000.htm

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CBI files charge sheet in Jammu and Kashmir sex scam

Shujaat Bukhari

First charge sheet filed against accused

Judicial custody for Sethi

Remand extended for former ministers

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SRINAGAR: The Central Bureau of Investigation on Saturday filed the first charge sheet against nine accused persons in the Srinagar sex scandal case in the Chief Judicial Magistrate's court here. They include S.K. Padhi, Deputy Inspector-General, Border Security Force; Anil Sethi, former Additional Advocate-General; Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Jammu and Kashmir Police; and Sabeena, alleged kingpin in the racket.

The accused were charged under various Sections of the Ranbir Penal Code including Section 376 for rape of a 15-year-old girl. The other charges include procurement of girls, intimidation of witnesses and wrongful confinement. Among the others chargesheeted are Shabir Langoo, Shabir Kala, Mehrajuddin Malik and Masood Ahmed.

If proved guilty, the accused may face seven-year or life imprisonment. The case has been listed for hearing on July 7. The CBI, which took over the case on May 11, has sent Mr. Sethi to judicial custody till July 7.

Plea to appoint counsel

PTI reports:

The court on Saturday extended the CBI remand of the former State Ministers, Ghulam Ahmed Mir and Raman Mattoo, till June 27. Mr. Mir and Malik moved applications for appointment of counsel to defend them following a High Court direction.

Earlier, counsel for Mr. Mir, who filed the bail application, pleaded that they were not informed of the charges under which the former Minister had been booked. They argued that a Division Bench of the High Court only sought a referral of the bail applications in the case of those accused who were substantially involved in the case. Their client did not fall in that category.