The Srinagar sex abuse scandal, first reported by The Indian Express, is snowballing into a major controversy with a public outcry across the state seeking an immediate “exposure” of names of politicians, police and security officers allegedly involved in the racket. Trade groups, separatist and mainstream parties have called for a Valley-wide shutdown tomorrow to protest against the scandal.

This newspaper’s Srinagar bureau today received an anonymous call with a threat, saying that “revenge would be taken” for the expose. This is the second call the newspaper has received.

After protests by students of Kashmir University and Islamia College on Wednesday, college students took to the streets demanding an impartial probe—the matter has already been referred to the CBI—and punishment to those found guilty.

Kashmir Traders Federation, Lok Jan Shakti Party and Democratic Liberation Party have called for a complete strike. They have sought cooperation of transporters, business establishments and government officials.

The J-K Police have picked up several suspects from different parts of Valley for questioning. The police, however, declined to give any details.

On May 2, the day after J&K Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad asked the CBI to step in, the J&K High Court took suo motu notice of the reports of the case and called for the matter to be listed.

“Pushing innocent minor girls into the flesh trade is an extremely treacherous act and if, constitutionally acknowledged, social and moral commitments mean anything, the traders of this treachery have to be brought to account,” Justice Bashir Ahmad Kirmani of J&K High Court said.

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