Court martial for major accused of rape

The army has ordered court martial proceedings against a major allegedly involved in the rape of a mother and her daughter in Handwara area of north Kashmir in November.

Major Rehman was the target of public protests following reports that he had raped a mother and her minor daughter during a search and seizure operation there.

"The accused, Major Rahman Hussain, will be tried by a general court martial," said a spokesman of army's 15 Corps in Srinagar.

"The proceedings will commence in Uri on December 20 and Brigadier Syed Ata Hussain will be the presiding officer. The proceedings will be transparent," the spokesman said.

The Jammu and Kashmir government faced embarrassment when Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil was asked about the case at a press conference in Srinagar recently.

Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed then assured the people that justice would be done.