Kishtwar girl’s rape-death probe transferred to Crime Branch

Jammu, Aug 29: The investigation into the alleged rape and subsequent death of a minor girl in Kishtwar district has been handed over to the Crime Branch J&K, officials said on Saturday, as the case involving alleged sexual exploitation, pregnancy and a subsequent pregnancy termination procedure moves to the specialised agency.
Inspector General of Police, Crime Branch J&K, Sarah Rizvi, confirmed to news agency JKNS that the agency has received communication from Police Headquarters regarding the transfer of the case.
“Yes. We are taking over the case,” IGP Sarah said.
The case pertains to the death of a minor schoolgirl from the Chatroo area of Kishtwar, who died on August 20 while being referred for treatment related to termination of pregnancy.
According to officials, the teenager was allegedly subjected to sexual exploitation by her school teacher over a period of several months, resulting in pregnancy. Her identity has been withheld in view of her age and the sensitive nature of the case.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by Kishtwar Police had so far arrested six persons in connection with the case, including the alleged accused teacher and a nurse.
The case had come to light after the minor was reportedly found pregnant and was referred from Kishtwar towards Doda for medical treatment related to termination of pregnancy. She reportedly died while being shifted to Doda, following which police initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her pregnancy and death.
Police registered FIR No. 34/2026 at Police Station Chatroo under Sections 61(2), 65(1), 90, 91 and 92 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, besides Sections 4, 6, 8, 10 and 17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
Police subsequently arrested Khalid Hussain Sheikh, identified as a Teacher Grade-II posted at Middle School Bumalpora, Zone Inderwal.
Following his arrest, the Chief Education Officer, Kishtwar, placed Sheikh under suspension pending an inquiry into the matter.
The suspension order, issued on August 21 and accessed by news agency JKNS, was issued under Rule 31 of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956. The order specifically referred to the FIR registered at Police Station Chatroo and noted that the accused teacher was in police custody.
Considering the seriousness and sensitivity of the case, Kishtwar Police had constituted a Special Investigation Team to conduct a detailed probe.
During the investigation, material allegedly surfaced regarding the sexual exploitation of the minor, her pregnancy, attempts to terminate the pregnancy and the alleged involvement of multiple persons, including individuals connected with her medical treatment.
The SIT subsequently arrested five accused persons, followed by the arrest of a nurse identified as Sonika, posted at District Hospital Kishtwar, taking the total number of arrests to six.
Police had said that the role of the nurse surfaced during the course of investigation, leading to her arrest in connection with the case.
The Crime Branch will now take over the investigation and examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged sexual exploitation of the minor, her pregnancy, the attempted termination procedure, her death and the role of each person connected with the case.
Officials said further arrests, wherever warranted by evidence, would be pursued and legal action would be taken against those found involved.
The investigation remains underway. (JKNS)