JAMMU, Dec. 19 -- Expressing displeasure and anguish over 'perfunctory' exercise in the name of probe into the mysterious death of a minor girl by Jammu Police, the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, on Tuesday, directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the case.

A 13-year-old girl was found hanging from a tree on August 15 in Gharota area of Jammu district.

While hearing a petition filed by the victim's father, justice Rahul Bharti transferred the investigation to the CBI.

"Special Investigation Team (SIT) showed no serious-minded effort to ascertain whether the minor died by suicide or was subjected to sexual assault and murder," Justice Bharti observed.

The petitioner had moved the high court two months...