The Supreme Court on Monday, 7 May, transferred the Kathua rape and murder case to Pathankot court, and refused a CBI inquiry in the matter. Importantly, it ordered an in-camera trial that is to be held on a day-to-day basis without adjournment.

“An in-camera trial has been ordered so that witnesses feel protected and the accused feel safe,” the court reportedly said.  The Court added they will keep monitoring the case from time to time.

The bench allowed the Jammu and Kashmir government to appoint public prosecutor in Pathankot Court, and ask for the state government to provide security to the victim's family, their lawyer and the witnesses. The next date of hearing in the apex court will be 9 July. 

Speaking about the transfer of case, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh said that security was the main concern of the court, and Pathankot had enough security. The J&K government had told the apex court that it was ready for a fair trial in the state, and opposed its transfer to another state. 

Ahead of the trial on Sunday, the girl’s father said that he has full faith in the judiciary, and has now devoted his life to ensure justice is done for his daughter:

“I am satisfied with the police investigation and will not rest till justice is done in the case. I want the accused to be given exemplary punishment for their brutality,” the father of the victim told PTI on phone from Ramban district where he along with his family have been camping for the last few days.

Earlier, the apex court, in a stern warning, had said it would transfer the Kathua gangrape and murder case from the local court in Jammu and Kashmir if there was the "slightest possibility" of the lack of fair trial, saying the "real concern" was to hold a proper prosecution.

The eight-year-old’s father had moved the apex court, apprehending threats to the family, a friend and their lawyer Deepika Singh Rajawat. 

A separate plea was also filed by two accused seeking that the trial in the case be held in Jammu and the probe handed over to the CBI.