Srinagar, October 17, KDC: The Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch has filed a chargesheet against 15 accused in the Kishtwar minor sexual exploitation and death case within the stipulated period of 60 days after taking over the investigation, a senior Crime Branch official told news agency Kashmir Dot Com.
The chargesheet, comprising more than 1,000 pages and citing 143 witnesses, was submitted before the Court of the Munsiff Judge, Kishtwar, who is holding charge as the Principal District and Sessions Judge in the absence of the regular presiding officer, the official said.
The investigation examined allegations relating to the sexual exploitation of the minor, an attempted termination of her advanced pregnancy outside an authorised medical facility, alleged lapses in medical treatment and alleged efforts to prevent the matter from being reported to law-enforcement authorities.
The chargesheet invokes applicable provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
The case was initially registered as FIR No. 34/2026 at Police Station Chatroo following the minor’s death on August 20, 2026. It was subsequently transferred to the Special Crime Wing, Jammu, on August 29 and re-registered as FIR No. 27/2026.
The transfer followed public outrage and protests over the circumstances surrounding the minor’s death. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted by Sarah Rizvi, Inspector General of Police, Crime, Jammu and Kashmir, and headed by Sanjay Kumar Parihar, Senior Superintendent of Police, Special Crime Wing, Jammu.
According to the investigation, the minor was allegedly sexually exploited over several months, resulting in pregnancy. The circumstances surrounding the attempted termination of the advanced pregnancy, the medical treatment provided to her and the events leading to her death formed key aspects of the probe.
Investigators examined medical records from the Primary Health Centre in Chatroo, District Hospital Kishtwar and Government Medical College Doda. The investigation also involved collecting witness statements and other documentary evidence, examining transportation arrangements and looking into allegations concerning the procurement of medicines and possible efforts to conceal information from law-enforcement authorities.
An earlier status report submitted by the Crime Branch to the Kishtwar court stated that medical records had been collected and examined. Investigators had also seized a vehicle allegedly used to transport the minor and obtained call detail records of persons connected with the case. Biological samples and viscera were preserved for forensic examination and DNA profiling.
Before the filing of the chargesheet, the Principal Sessions Court, Kishtwar, rejected the regular bail applications of three accused — Sonika Parihar, Zareena Begum and Peer Baksh Bumal — on October 10. The Jammu and Kashmir Prosecution Department said the court considered the prosecution’s objections, including the seriousness of the allegations and concerns regarding possible interference with witnesses or evidence.
The investigation has named several persons in connection with different aspects of the case. Khalid Hussain Sheikh, the in-charge headmaster of Government Middle School Bumalpora, has been identified as the principal accused in the alleged sexual exploitation. Other accused named in connection with the investigation include Sonika Parihar, an NHM-associated staff nurse; Zareena Begum, a hospital sanitation worker; and Peer Baksh Bumal, a local community representative from Udil in Chatroo.
Other names appearing in reports on the investigation include Tariq Hussain, Farooq Ahmed, Gh. Qadir Sheikh, Noor Din, Mohd. Ishaq, Abdul Latief Bhanday, a teacher posted at Middle School Majhor, and Haroon Mir, a medical shop owner.
Earlier reports also identified two drivers, Raiz Ahmed and Abid Hussain, as persons who were yet to be arrested.
“Further investigative action, including the filing of a supplementary charge-sheet, may be undertaken if additional evidence emerges, in accordance with law,” the official added. (KDC)
