In a dramatic turn to the investigation into the Kashmir sex abuse scandal, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court today directed the CBI to conduct an “identification parade” of all those named by the victim and the prime accused Sabeena. This is a list of 56 people, including, as The Indian Express first reported, several top police officers, politicians and security officials.

The parade, the court said, will be conducted by the CBI “in camera” before a Magistrate. If identified by the two, the court directed the agency to act “in accordance with the law” and effect suitable arrests.

“No court will grant them bail without first bringing the matter in the notice of the Court,” the judges observed in the hearing on the PIL filed by Kashmir High Court Bar Association.

The court said that Sabeena and the victim had named 56 people and 34 girls as part of the sex abuse ring in the Valley.

“The High Court gave CBI until Tuesday to complete the identification parade when the next hearing is scheduled,” president of Kashmir High Court Bar Association and prosecution counsel Mian Abdul Qayoom told The Indian Express.

The court, which examined the case diaries submitted by the CBI, took exception to Sabeena’s incomplete statement and directed the CBI to complete it by the next hearing. It pulled up the Sub-Divisional Police Officer Javed Koul for not taking action against a “Gora Chitta (fair-complexioned) Commissioner,” and a “BSF officer” named by the victim in her interrogation to the police.

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