The father of the minor girl who was allegedly molested in Jammu and Kashmir’s Handwara town in April has moved court seeking the filing of a molestation FIR against the Army personnel involved, reportedly belonging to 21 Rashtriya Rifles. He also sought an FIR against the local police for mishandling the case, reported dna, quoting the Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society, a rights and advocacy group.

"Father of the minor girl submitted an application to the Judicial Magistrate, Handwara for registering an FIR over molestation by the soldiers of 21 RR, the police misconduct, illegal detention, intimidation and the recording and circulation of the video," said a Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society spokesperson. The court has asked the station house officer to submit a status report of the case by June 15.

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Last month, the complainant had approached the special investigation team of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the station house officer asking them to file two FIRs in the case. The family took the step after the minor, at a press conference, said an army official grabbed her hand on the day of the incident and the local police forced her to keep the Army's name out of it. She also said that the police harassed and abused her at the police station, and an officer spat at her and abused her.

According to her, no woman officer was present for the most of the time that she was at the police station. She said that some officers who had their faces covered told her not to tell the truth to the media or in her formal complaint. They also threatened her with fatal consequences if she dared disobey them, she alleged. “My signatures were taken on blank papers as well as written papers,” she said, adding that she will fight for herself and for those who have died in the clashes that broke out in the state following the incident on April 12.

At least five people were killed in the clashes between protestors and security forces in the Kupwara district after the incident. The girl had accused Indian Army officers of molesting her, but the police later said she had changed her stance and accused two local boys. As the situation worsened, curfew-like restrictions were imposed in parts of the state, and mobile internet services were also temporarily blocked.