Kathua Rape Case: Parole denied to ‘mastermind’ Sanji Ram

SRINAGAR — In the much-hyped Kathua rape case of a little minor girl, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has declined to grant parole to Sanji Ram, charged with masterminding the said gang rape.

The 2018 Kathua abduction, gang rape and murder case refers to the abduction, gang rape, and murder of an 8-year-old girl from nomadic community, in Rasana village of Kathua.

Sources said that the mastermind Sanji Ram had applied for parole through his Counsel while the prosecution claimed that Sanji Ram’s release could raise communal tensions in the area.

Terming the concern raised as a genuine apprehension, the Bench of Justices Dr S. Muralidhar and Avneesh Jhingan stated: “Consequently, given the genuine apprehension expressed as regards the possible law and order consequences if the petitioner’s prayer for parole is granted, the Court is not inclined to accept such a prayer at this stage.”

Sanji Ram had moved the High Court seeking leave to visit his village for the wedding of his son.

In 2018, Sanji Ram along with Parvesh Kumar and a police officer were sentenced for murder after raping an 8-year-old Bhakerwal girl. She was held in a small village temple in Kathua district. After being raped, the child was bludgeoned to death.

Sanji Ram was the caretaker of the temple where the 8-year-old Bhakerwal girl was raped.

Pursuant to a Supreme Court order, the case was transferred to Punjab from Pathankot in Jammu and Kashmir.