TNN file photo of a protest against the alarming number of rapes in the country

SRINAGAR: In a decision that drew heavy criticism and raised eyebrows across the Valley, the Jammu and Kashmir government has appointed Aseem Sawhney, the lawyer who represented some of the accused in the gang-rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua , as Additional Advocate General of the state.

In an order issued on Tuesday, the J&K government appointed 31 advocates as additional advocates general, deputy advocates general and government advocates, with 15 in the Kashmir wing of the high court and 16 in the Jammu wing. One the 16 names of law officers for the Jammu wing was of Aseem Sawhney. Earlier, Sawhney has served as Deputy Advocate General in Jammu and Kashmir high court.

In a series of tweets, former J&K chief minister and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti came down heavily against the appointment and called it a “shocking violation” of the spirit of justice and sought the intervention of Governor NN Vohra in the matter.

“Rewarding those who defend alleged murderers & rapists is abhorrent & a shocking violation of the spirit of justice. Such a move will only serve to encourage the rape culture rampant in our society. Expect the @jandkgovernor to intervene,” she tweeted.

“Ironic that a day after celebrating World Day for International Justice, the defence counsel in the horrific rape & murder Kathua case has been appointed as Additional Advocate General,” she tweeted again.

National Conference vice-president, Omar Abdullah , too criticized the move and tweeted: “The decision is both inexplicable & worrisome but if the victim’s lawyer is not unduly concerned by this development the rest of us should just let her get on with the job of ensuring justice for the young victim.”

“They (the government) come out with nonsense every now and then to take the attention away from the trial,” he further tweeted.

Deepika Singh Rajawat, the lawyer representing the family of the nomad girl, said “We should not react to this. We should focus on the trial.”

Eight people, including four policemen were arrested by the crime branch of J&K police in connection with the heinous crime that triggered widespread outrage across the country. The girl had disappeared on January 10. Her body was found in the same area a week later.

According to the chargesheet, the victim was held in captivity at a small village temple where she was kept sedated and sexually assaulted before she was bludgeoned to death.

(With inputs from agencies)

