Sex racket: Azad promises action against guilty

Azad said he had referred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) only to ensure a fool-proof probe. ‘‘I thought if we set up a probe by a state agency, it will be suspect as names of politicians and officers are coming up are here,’’ Azad said. ‘‘I will not let those who are involved in this shameful racket go scot-free. I will ensure that they are punished.’’

The deputy chief minister, however, demanded immediate and tough measures from the government. In a faxed letter to the chief minister, Beig said: ‘‘The public outrage on the sex scandal has resulted in a widespread law and order problem in Kashmir. People are demanding that the names of persons from government allegedly involved be exposed and secondly appropriate action be taken against those whose names have already been exposed.’’ Beig also urged that the police officers who have been implicated and whose names already made public be attached immediately.

‘‘There is a need to find out the reasons as to why a magistrate was not taken to the house of Sabina (the arrested kingpin) and evidence was not sealed which most probably did exist in that house. There is a need that the investigating officer be provided full freedom and security to probe the case,’’ Beig told The Sunday Express.

Meanwhile, protests continued in the Valley on the third consecutive day. Students of the Kashmir University took to the streets, demanding that the government reveal the names of politicians, police and security officers involved. Police blocked all entry and exit points of the campus but protesters soon scaled the gates and marched to the National Institute of Technology to urge students to join them. Within minutes, hundreds of protesters marched to Lal Chowk where police burst tear gas shells in a bid to disperse the crowd. Three students were injured.

muzamil.jaleel@expressindia.com