125 days and counting; Mystery deepens over 17 unexplained deaths in Budhal

Srinagar, Apr 15: More than four months (125 days) after the tragic deaths of 17 individuals in Budhal village, Rajouri, investigative agencies across the country remain unable to unravel the mystery. While normalcy has returned to the village, the grief of losing loved ones lingers, and pressing questions about the incident remain unanswered.
The victims, mostly innocent children, are believed to have been poisoned, but key details—such as the source of the toxin and where the children were brought from—continue to evade authorities. The people of Budhal and the wider state are demanding answers, waiting for clarity on these suspicious deaths.
Health Minister Sakeena Itoo had informed the Assembly that hundreds of samples from Budhal were sent to reputed laboratories across the country, revealing traces of different pesticides. However, the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Chandigarh detected chlorfenapyr, a toxic pesticide, in the viscera of all 17 deceased, confirming poisoning as the cause of death.
Despite this critical finding, the case remains unresolved. The Assembly saw demands for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe, but the Health Minister argued that some reports were still pending and that the investigation was progressing in the “right direction.”
With no concrete results even after four months, frustration is mounting among locals and officials alike. A police officer connected to the case stated, “The investigation is still ongoing,” but provided no further updates.
The deaths were reported between Dec 7 last year and Jan 19. Villagers linked the deaths to a wedding feast on Dec 2, last year. Since then, Budhal faced a row of funerals. The deceased belonged to the families of Fazal Hussain, Mohammad Aslam and Mohammad Rafiq.
The government also had to ban social gatherings in the hamlet which is located 57km from main Rajouri town. (KNO)