Jammu, Aug. 31 -- The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the BJP on Sunday welcomed the transfer of the rape-and-death case of a minor in Kishtwar's Chatroo area to the Crime Branch, calling it a significant step towards ensuring a fair probe and pushing for death penalty for those found responsible for the heinous crime.

The case related to the alleged rape and subsequent death of a 15-year-old tribal girl in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district was handed over to the Crime Branch for investigation on Saturday. The minor was allegedly raped by her school teacher over the last several months. She died on August 20 during a procedure to terminate her pregnancy.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police has so far arreste...