In a stinging indictment of the J&K Bar Association which had passed a resolution denying any legal aid to the accused in the Srinagar sex scandal, the Supreme Court today ordered that trial of 14 of the 18 accused be shifted from Srinagar to Chandigarh.

Taking strong exception to the Bar Association’s remark that the sex scandal will “show the entire world the real face of India in Kashmir”, Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal said: “It is only in India that despite these comments you are being heard. In no other democracy will it be heard.”

The order to transfer the trial to Chandigarh came on a petition of 14 accused — they include former J&K Minister Ghulam Hassan Mir, independent MLA and former Minister Raman Mattoo, BSF DIG K C Padhi, former J&K Additional Advocate General Anil Sethi, DSP Mohammad Ashraf Mir, suspended Principal Secretary (Planning) Iqbal Khandey and hotel owner Riyaz Ahmed Kawa — who contended that “no lawyer” in Srinagar was willing to defend them and the state bar association had already passed a resolution to that effect.

Ordering the transfer of trial to Chandigarh “in the interest of justice”, the Bench said: “On examination of facts and circumstances, we are of the view that the investigations have been completed and chargesheets filed. It would be in the interest of justice to transfer these cases for trial and other proceedings from the court of Principal Sessions Judge, Srinagar, to District and Sessions Judge, Chandigarh.”

Sabeena, the alleged kingpin of the sex racket, her husband Abdul Hamid Shabir Langoo, middlemen Shabir Ahmed Laway alias Shabir Kala, Mehrajuddin Malik, Masood Ahmed, Mohammad Yusuf Mir and Abdul Hamid Bullah will also be tried in Chandigarh. Today’s SC order will not apply to four of the 18 accused whose cases are still being investigated.

... contd.