Srinagar, August 29, KDC: The investigation into the alleged rape and subsequent death of a 15-year-old tribal girl in Kishtwar has been handed over to the Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch, with a dedicated team constituted to conduct the probe.
The investigation will be overseen by Senior Superintendent of Police Sanjay Parihar, while Deputy Superintendent of Police Javed Iqbal Tabassum will spearhead the Crime Branch team, officials told Kashmir Dot Com.
The development comes amid mounting public concern over the circumstances surrounding the minor’s death on August 20 following severe medical complications linked to an alleged forced termination of her pregnancy.
According to the case record, the girl had allegedly been sexually assaulted repeatedly over several months by a government middle school teacher, identified as Khalid Hussain Sheikh, resulting in a five-month pregnancy. The investigation has also examined allegations that abortion-inducing medication was procured and administered to the minor.
After her condition deteriorated, she was taken to the Public Health Centre at Chatroo and later shifted to District Hospital Kishtwar, where she delivered a stillborn baby. She was subsequently referred for advanced medical treatment but died while being shifted in an ambulance near Batote.
Before the Crime Branch took over the case, a Special Investigation Team constituted by Kishtwar Police had arrested six persons in connection with the case. Those arrested include the alleged main accused Khalid Hussain Sheikh, his brother Tariq Hussain Sheikh, hospital daily-wage worker Farooq Ahmed Sheikh, local residents Mohd Ishaq and Riyaz Ahmed Sheikh, and a staff nurse posted at District Hospital Kishtwar.
The case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Following the transfer, Crime Branch officials are requisitioning the case records and evidence for a fresh examination of the investigation. The team is expected to scrutinise the forensic material, case diaries and other evidence before proceeding with further legal action.
The case has triggered protests and shutdowns in Kishtwar and parts of the Chenab Valley, with civil society groups and political leaders demanding a transparent and time-bound investigation.
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court is also scheduled to hear on Monday a plea seeking an independent Crime Branch probe into the case. (KDC)
