Srinagar, December 20
The proceedings of General Court Martial (GCM) against Major Rehman Hussain, accused in the rape case of a mother-daughter duo of the Handwara area in north Kashmir, began at Uri today. The court has been adjourned till December 26 giving time to the accused for presenting defence counsel.
The case related to the alleged rape of a woman, Aisha Begum, 29, wife of Abdul Rashid Dar, and her 10-year-old daughter, Shabnam Rashid, that provoked widespread protest demonstrations across the Valley.
Even as the state government ordered an inquiry into the incident, the Army also ordered an internal inquiry into it. The incident had taken place on November 6 at Bader Payeen in the Handwara area of Kupwara district of north Kashmir.
At the General Court Martial, the accused Major Hussaian, who was brought in, was provided a defending officer while a prosecuting officer was also present. Five charges were read out against the accused, who pleaded not guilty to all the five charges.
He further pleaded that he had not been given sufficient time to present a defence counsel. It was observed that in case the accused failed in presenting his defence, the proceedings would continue.
