SC orders transfer of Kathua rape case accused to Gurudaspur jail from J&K

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday ordered transfer of the accused in the Kathua gangrape and murder case from Kathua prison in Jammu and Kashmir to Gurdaspur district jail in Punjab.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra directed the Jammu and Kashmir Police to file a supplementary chargesheet in the case within eight weeks.

The apex court granted liberty to the litigants of the case to move Punjab and Haryana High Court in case they felt aggrieved by the trial court orders.

The bench, also comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and Indu Malhotra, directed the Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir governments to provide security to the trial judge and the Special Public Prosecutor of the case respectively.

"The Jammu and Kashmir government shall ensure that family of the accused is allowed to meet the accused at Gurdaspur jail at its expenses," the Supreme Court said.