Asifa Rape-n-Murder: Jammu shutdown evokes lukewarm response

Jammu: The bandh call forwarded by Jammu Bar Association to defend rape and murder accused and demanding the transfer of Asifa rape and murder case from Crime Branch to Central Bureau of Investigation evoked partial response on Wednesday.
Reports said that though work in all the courts remained paralyzed, however, shops were seen opened in major parts of Jammu city while public and private transport were also seen plying on the roads.
Eyewitnesses said that some fringe elements carrying Indian tricolor enforced shutdown in many areas of Jammu. They were seen riding in auto-mobiles and other vehicles chanting ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ slogans.
Policemen were seen patrolling on the roads to maintain law and order.
The Jammu Bar Association had called for a Jammu-wide shut down to push for the transfer of the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation and other issues, including Rohingya refugee settlements in Jammu. The Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, however, did not support the bandh.
Meanwhile, Kirty Bhushan Mahajan, president of the Kathua Bar Association, said it has offered free legal help to the accused in the case. “The accused are invited to name any advocate to represent them in court. They will be given free of cost legal representation at their choice,” Mahajan said.