Handwara molestation case: I was abused, coerced in police custody, says school girl

The Handwara schoolgirl, who was released from police custody on May 10, on Monday alleged that she was abused, threatened and coerced by cops during her 27 days in custody.

The 16-year-old girl was taken into protective custody on April 12, the day she alleged she was molested by asoldier in a public washroom. This sparked violence in the township and five people were killed in the resultant police firing.

On Monday, she said that her subsequent statement to a chief judicial magistrate, giving a clean chit to the trooper, was made under duress.

“Since the washrooms of my school were locked on April 12, I went to a public washroom. A soldier came and grabbed my hand. I somehow managed to free myselfand stormed out. There were two to three boys outside. One of them asked me what happened. I cried and told him I want to go home. He consoled me and said I will accompany you,” she told reporters.

The video, in which she gave a clean chit to the Army, was shot by SP Jeelani on his mobile phone, she said. She also rubbished police claim that she was taken into protective custody after she sought protection.

The police and the Army refuted her allegations. “No, there was nothing of that sort (abuse and coercion in custody). I do not know under whose pressure she has given the press conference... she has already deposed before the court”, Uttam Chand, deputy inspector general of police, north Kashmir, told dna.

Colonel NN Joshi, defence spokesman, said the case is sub-judice and hence the Army would not comment.