Kathua Rape case lawyer claims, I have life threat

New Delhi, Apr 16: In a Kathua Rape case row, The Jammu and Kashmir govt has appointed two special public prosecutors, both Sikhs, for the trial in the sensitive case, a move being seen as made to ensure "neutrality" in view of Hindu-Muslim polarisation over the case.

The lawyer of the eight-year-old victim on Sunday said that she fears for her life as may get raped or murdered.

Deepika S Rajawat, who is the counsel of Kathua rape victim's family, alleged a threat to her life and said that she will tell the Supreme Court about the danger to her life.

"I don't know till when I will be alive. I might be raped, my modesty may be outraged, I may be killed, I might be damaged. I was threatened yesterday that 'we will not forgive you'. I am going to tell SC tomorrow that I am in danger," Rajawat said.

Earlier this week, Rajawat appeared on a television channel and alleged that she was threatened by Jammu Bar Association president BS Slathia from appearing in the case.

"I am not scared, but I am not feeling safe either. Protesters (lawyers) are trying to put pressure on me so that I don’t fight for justice. But I will continue to fight Asifa’s case. I have full faith in the police investigation," Rajawat added.

The trial in the gruesome Kathua rape and murder case will begin from Monday against eight accused who allegedly held an eight-year-old girl in captivity in a small village temple in Kathua district for a week in January this year during which she was kept sedated and sexually assaulted before being bludgeoned to death.