Srinagar sex scandal
HC directs personal appearance of Director CBI

By Athar Parvez

SRINAGAR, June 2: The Division Bench of State High Court today observed that the investigation about the sex scandal is not going on at the desired speed and added that the investigating officer of the CBI, who is heading the CBI team which has been carrying out investigation in the sex scandal, has expressed certain practical difficulties. In view of the submissions made by the investigating agency today, the court felt that it would hear from Director of the CBI about proposed course of future investigation.

Accordingly, the court directed the Advocate General S A Naik to ensure the presence of Director CBI in the court on the next date of hearing, June 6. The court also observed that the statement of Sabeena, the alleged kingpin of the scandal, has been partly recorded and directed Investigating Officer of CBI to complete the same by next date of hearing. The court is still not satisfied with the statement of Sabeena recorded by the CBI.

During the last several hearings, the court demanded complete statement of Sabeena.
The Division Bench comprising Justice Hakim Imtiyaz Hussain and Justice Bashir Ahmad Kirmani today conducted the hearing of the sex scandal case for the first time in camera and neither the media nor any other person except the petitioners and respondents, was allowed to remain in the court. The court had issued the direction for conducting the hearing in camera during the last hearing on Tuesday, May 30. In the previous hearing, Kashmir Bar Association had prayed that the investigation be held in camera.

After the first recoding in camera today, the court issued an order copy which the media persons were allowed to publish. The order reads: "We have perused the case diary produced by Investigating Officer CBI. We find the investigation is not going on at the speed. Investigating Officer CBI has expressed certain practical difficulties. In view of submissions made, the stage of investigation and the new material which has emerged, we feel it would be appropriate to hear from Director of CBI about proposed course of future investigation. Accordingly S A Naik, shall ensure his presence in the court on next date of hearing".

The order further reads, "Sabeena's statement has been partly recorded. Investigating Officer CBI is directed to complete the same by the next date of hearing. We feel that in view of the guidelines laid by the Apex Court from time to time, two lawyers and a lady doctor be allowed to meet the minor girl. Accordingly we appoint Miss Sabeena and Syed Manzoor, Advocates for the purpose. Director Health Services Kashmir shall nominate a lady doctor for the purpose. Registrar Judicial to communicate this order to the Director Health Services immediately. The team shall submit its report by or before the next date of hearing".