'Who next' is nowadays the question on the lips of almost every Kashmiri after the Central Bureau of Investigation started arresting top politicians, bureaucrats, police and paramilitary officials in connection with the sex scandal that has rocked the Valley.
In reply, come a host of names of bigwigs in politics and the bureaucracy, not to mention of police. Everybody has his own list and always ready to circulate it.
"This minister...that official," is the information with almost everyone in Kashmir these days, which even the investigating agency might find difficult to gather at times.
And, if one happens to be a journalist, the most frequently asked question is 'who next,' as if the person was part of the investigating team and knew of all the developments vis-a-vis the sex racket case.
Since the scandal surfaced in March, the first thing people look for in the morning is the newspaper.
"Any news about the sex racket has become part of our breakfast. The first thing I do is grab the newspaper and read all about the scandal. And, it really makes me angry if the newspaper is with someone else," says Mohammad Ashraf (name changed), a government employee.
Ashraf says everybody is curious to know about the developments in the case. "We are curious to know on whom the sword is going to fall next. We also regularly monitor through newspapers the court hearings in the case," he adds.
Zakir Ahmed (name changed), a government employee and posted in the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar, says he and colleagues from different departments are always in touch to keep each other informed about the latest in this regard.
"After hearing from various quarters that the CBI can anytime raid the Civil Secretariat and arrest top officials in connection with the sex racket case, we are extra alert," he adds.
"We too want to know each and everything about the sex scandal. Isn't it our right," he asks. Ashraf and Zakir are not the only curious ones. "Sex sells in India and Kashmir is no exception. Everybody is eager to know more and more about the sex scandal," says Farooq Ahmed, a businessman.
The 'hot subject' is the matter of discussion at almost every nook and corner of the Valley be it offices, public transport or restaurants. One mention of the scandal and a huge crowd gathers.
