Award-winning lawyer Deepika Singh Rajawat, who was recently removed as counsel from the Kathua rape-and-murder case by the victim's father, has alleged harassment by the government officials who allegedly "force her to vacate government accommodation".

“Facing harassment at the hands of concerned officials, as I am being forced to vacate government accommodation given in June 2018. Had, I been having means to do it, I would have done it without their telling me. Seeking indulgence of higher ups”, tweeted Rajawat.

Later Rajawat told DNA that the government accommodation was given to her after she was facing problems during the case. “When everything was against me in April, I met former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and discussed case besides my personal issues. She immediately directed concerned authorities who shifted me to a safe place which was a very good gesture on her part”, she said.

Rajawat noted that she shifted in June and after that the government collapsed. “My allotment was not there because the government collapsed. Everyday people knock at my doors asking to vacate. I have so many things, where will I take them overnight. Because of this I am not able to concentrate on my work”, she said

Facing harassment at the hands of concerned officials, as I am being forced to vacate govt accommodation given in June 2018. Had, I been having means to do it, I would have done it without their telling me. Seeking indulgence of higher ups..@MehboobaMufti @ShekharGupta — Deepika Singh Rajawat (@DeepikaSRajawat) November 29, 2018

How strange- a young woman who stood against the storm of barbarity to defend the little girl is being forced to vacate the govt accommodation. Much needed intervention by HE @jandkgovernor for her safety and security. https://t.co/aPLUfhnun8 November 29, 2018

Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has sought the intervention of J&K governor Satya Pal Malik to ensure the safety of Rajawat. “How strange - a young woman who stood against the storm of barbarity to defend the little girl is being forced to vacate the government accommodation. Much needed intervention by His Exceloncy J&K governor for her safety and security”, she tweeted.

Fifteen days before Rajawat was removed as advocate on record for Kathua case in the trial court at Pathankot in Punjab. The victim’s father noted that he was satisfied with the progress of the case dealt by the prosecution lawyers including SS Basra, Jagdishwar Kumar Chopra and others.

Rajawat had put up a brave face saying that the trial is going on peacefully and the case is in safe hands.

Body of eight-year-old tribal nomad Bakarwal girl was found in a village of the Kathua district on January 17, a week after she went missing near her home. From being drugged to being gang raped in a revered religious place, the bone chilling crime had all the wicked traits of lust, hatred and revenge.

Crime Branch had filed a charge sheet against eight people including Sanjhi Ram, a retired revenue official and the alleged mastermind of the crime, his son Vishal Jangotra and his nephew who is a juvenile. Other accused include Parvesh Kumar alias Mannu, Special Police Officers (SPOs) Deepak Kumar Khajuria alias Deepu and Surinder Kumar, Sub Inspector of Hiranangar police station Anand Dutta and head constable Tilak Raj.