Srinagar: Two cops including a sub-inspector were detained by the Jammu and Kashmir Crime branch for their alleged involvement in the destruction of evidence in rape and murder case of Asifa, an 8-year old tribal girl, in Kathua district.

According to a report by New Delhi based private news channel, Hawaldar Tilak Raj, posted at the Hiranagar police station, was arrested after it was prima facie established that he had washed Asifa’s clothes that were soaked in blood and mud before sending them for forensic test. Sub-inspector Anand Dutta, who was the investigative officer, has been detained for questioning.

“We arrested a hawaldar and a sub-inspector is being questioned in connection with the destruction of evidence” Police Chief SP Vaid was quoted by the report as saying.

Earlier, the crime branch had arrested two special police officers, Deepak Khajuria and Surinder Verma involved in the case. Two more persons, including a juvenile, have also been arrested for the kidnapping, rape and murder of Asifa.

After the state government ordered a probe into the incident and subsequently handed over the case to the Crime Branch of police, several political leaders under the banner of  Hindu Ekta Manch have been protesting in support of the arrested policemen and demanding the case be transferred to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Hindu Ekta Manch also took out a rally in support of the accused stating that they do not believe in the probe by Jammu and Kashmir police.

The Chief Minister condemned the rallies being held by Hindu Ekta March. However, the two BJP ministers in the state have backed the group.

Meanwhile, according to the report, the crime branch in a letter to the director general of police, has detailed lapses by the Kathua police. Besides destruction of evidence, they accuse the local police of not preserving the crime scene. No searches were carried out in the village even after Asifa’s family filed a missing complaint, the crime branch said in its letter.

Guest