Notice to J&K government over Kathua witness plea

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought the response of the Jammu and Kashmir government on a petition alleging that Talib Hussain, key witness in the Kathua rape and murder incident involving an eight-year-old girl, has been in illegal custody and being tortured.

A three-judge bench issued notice on the writ petition filed by cousin of Talib Hussain seeking his release immediately. The apex court had transferred the Kathua rape criminal trial to a court in Punjab.

The CJI asked senior counsel Indira Jaising as to how a habeas corpus petition was maintainable when a person is in police custody. Counsel said if a person was subjected to custodial torture, the court could intervene.