Trial In Kathua Rape-Murder Case Shifted To Pathankot

The case involving the horrific gangrape and murder of an 8-year-old in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua will be heard by a court in Punjab's Pathankot, the Supreme Court said today. The call for transfer came from the child's family after the issue triggered a backlash in the state and rallies were held in favour of the accused. "Fear and fair trial can't exist together," the top court said, adding that the case was being transferred "on principle of free and fair trial". The murder of the child, belonging to a nomadic Muslim community, had triggered nationwide shock and outrage.