As the public outrage over the Srinagar sex abuse scandal—first reported by The Indian Express—and the blame game among the political parties continue unabated, a 12-member CBI team, led by a DIG, is arriving on Thursday to begin investigations. The team will set up a camp office in Srinagar for three months.

The J-K High Court, meanwhile, held its first suo motu hearing on the issue today. The court also heard a petition filed by the Kashmir Bar Association.

Seeking reports from J-K Chief Secretary and Director General of Police on May 12, the court asked the two to be present for the hearing.

“The Chief Secretary shall, while submitting his reply, indicate as to what action the Government has taken in the matter so far. The DGP will give the number of cases registered in the matter and progress of investigation,” the order said.

The Kashmir Bar Association, however, has boycotted the May 12 hearing in protest against the HC decision to treat its PIL as a writ petition by the single bench.

The lawyers also took out a protest march through Lal Chowk. “We expected the court to constitute a special team to monitor the ongoing investigations. But this has not happened,” said JK Bar Association chief Abdul Qayoom.

- muzaffarraina@expressindia.com