Kathua Rape Witness Threatened to be Killed in Custody

In a shocking revelation, Talib Hussain, an activist and the key witness in the Kathua gang rape and murder case, has allegedly been threatened to be “brutally” killed in custody before he reaches the court for his next hearing, which is scheduled on September 25. Currently, Hussain has been kept in the Hiranagar jail of Kathua district, over alleged charges of rape levelled by his relative.

Hussain’s friend and state secretary of Gujjar Bakarwal Youth Conference, Sadiq told NewsClick that during his previous hearing on September 13, Talib had informed him that he was being threatened. “They are threatening to brutally kill him because he is the prime witness in the Kathua rape case. A jail inmate who was with him was released last week. Even he confirmed that the assistant superintendent of the police (SP) and others are hatching a plot to kill him before his next hearing on September 25. The assistant superintendent has even threatened him verbally. We were hopeful that he will get bail soon and that’s the reason behind these threats,” Sadiq told NewsClick.

Also read: Witness in Kathua Rape Case Allegedly Assaulted by Police

Another friend, who wanted to stay anonymous, said, “Few politicians belonging to the Centre are involved in this conspiracy. They want to muzzle Talib’s voice as he is the witness in the Kathua rape and murder case. We, his friends, fear that they will try to harm him in any way possible.”

Extra Security inside the Jail?

Hussain’s lawyer had appealed the judge in the Sessions Court in Samba to provide him with security as they fear that his life is in danger. “Advocate Anwar Choudhary and Akram Choudhary had appealed to the judge in the Sessions Court in Samba to provide Hussain with extra security inside the jail and shift him to a different locker where a CCTV will capture all the movements. On the order of the judge, he was shifted to another locker by the Superintendent. Talib had also told the Superintendent of Police (SP) that the assistant SP and others have been threatening to kill him,” said Sadiq.

Meanwhile, extra security has been given and CCTV has been installed outside Hussain’s locker in the jail. This is not the first time, earlier the Jammu and Kashmir police were accused of torturing and assaulting him by repeatedly banging his head against the wall, so much so that, eye witness revealed that they saw him drenched in blood. However, the police had denied any such allegations saying that Hussain had attempted to commit suicide and was now shifting charges onto them.

Non- appearance of Witness in Court

According to Sadiq, the woman who alleged that she was raped by Talib Hussain in Chadwa forest has not been showing up in the court. “The woman who is the witness has not shown up in the court. The judge has said that he can grant the bail after he listens to what the woman has to say, but  due to her non appearance the case is being stretched,” Sadiq said.

As per Hussain’s lawyer, Mubeen Farooqi, no concrete evidence has been found against him until now. “This is a completely hypothetical case. There is no evidence, nothing. Even the woman has not been showing up for the statement. When she lodged a complaint, she should also come and give her statement. Why isn’t she showing up,” Mubeen Farooqi told NewsClick.

However, as per the sources, the woman’s family is citing threats from Hussain as the reason behind her absence in the court. “Advocate Indira Jai Singh recently questioned the opposition lawyer before the CJI that has Hussain been issuing threats from custody? Every one started laughing in the court room. It’s laughable and completely hypothetical. He is behind bars and fighting for his own survival. How can he give threats to others. Basically, there is no evidence and they don’t know what to do, so they are coming up with hypothetical threats and concocted stories,” said Farooqi.

Talib Hussain had risen to prominence after he led a campaign to demand justice in the brutal rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Rasana village Kathua. He is the prime witness in the case and has been demanding justice for the family. He was arrested on July 31 from Tral, Kashmir, following an allegation of rape against him and was brought to the police station in Samba.

"The plan is to undermine the Kathua rape case and they are doing so by concocting a case against Talib. No one is talking about Kathua rape case now. Can any one ask the reason behind this,” said Farooqi.

Read more: Is Talib Hussain Targeted for being a Witness in the Kathua Murder Trial?