Deepak Khajuria, alias Depu, a special police officer, was arrested after a special investigation team of the crime branch found evidence of his alleged involvement in the case early this month
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti condemned the use of the Tricolour by a fringe group during a rally demanding the release of a special police officer who faces the charge of raping and killing an eight-year-old tribal girl.
"Appalled by the marches and protests in defence of the recently apprehended rapist in Kathua. Also horrified by their use of our National Flag in these demonstrations, this is nothing short of desecration. The accused has been arrested and the law will follow its course," Mehbooba tweeted on Friday.
Deepak Khajuria, alias Depu, a special police officer, was arrested after a special investigation team of the crime branch found evidence of his alleged involvement in the case early this month.
Khajuria, 28, was part of the police team searching for the girl after her parents lodged a missing report in Hiranagar police station. The child's body had been found near the jungles at Rasana village in Kathua district on January 17, a week after she went missing.
Police had earlier arrested a juvenile before the crime branch took over the case.
Mehbooba's outburst on Twitter came a day after scores of people under the aegis of Hindu Ekta Manch marched from Ghagwal to Hiranagar, carrying the Tricolour, shouting slogans demanding a CBI probe and Khajuria's release.
The issue snowballed into a major controversy with Opposition National Conference questioning Mehbooba Mufti-led government for allowing the march,
"Bear in mind - according to Jammu and Kashmir Police the accused has confessed to his crime! This is akin to a Tiranga march to defend the rapists of Nirbhaya! What "national interest" is this? What on earth is going on Mehbooba Mufti? How can you allow this???? How did Police allow this??" tweeted Junaid Azim Mattu, state spokesman of National Conference.
Unfazed by criticism, HEM president Vijay Sharma said prima facie it appears Deepak Khajuria has been made a scapegoat and therefore the case should be handed over to CBI.
"We want the culprits, who committed the heinous crime (rape and murder). should be punished. We do not have faith in SIT and therefore want the case to be handed over to CBI. Ours was a peaceful protest march so that government wakes up and orders CBI probe", said Sharma.
THE CASE
Accused Deepak Khajuria, alias Depu, was part of the police team searching for a missing girl in Kathua district. Her body was found a week later. The crime branch then took over the case
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