Kishtwar rape-death case: Main accused among three more held, total arrests reach five

Jammu, Aug 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Jammu and Kashmir Police has arrested three more suspects, including the key perpetrator, in connection with the rape and death of a 15-year-old tribal girl in Kishtwar district last week, the police confirmed on Thursday.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kishtwar, Naresh Singh, stated that the newly arrested individuals include a government school teacher accused of repeated sexual assault, his brother, and a daily-wager sweeper at District Hospital Kishtwar.

The minor girl allegedly died on August 20 following an abortion attempt in Chatroo area of the district.

The SSP said two of the accused have been identified as Mohd Ishaq and Riyaz Ahmed Sheikh, while the identity of the daily-wage sweeper is yet to be available.

According to the police, the minor was allegedly repeatedly raped by the teacher over several months, resulting in her pregnancy.

The Chatroo police received information about the girl's suspicious death on August 20. As no formal complaint had initially been received, the police began inquest proceedings to establish the circumstances surrounding her death.

"During the course of the inquest, material disclosing the commission of cognizable offences surfaced," the SSP said.

The proceedings were subsequently converted into an FIR at Chatroo police station.

The FIR was registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to rape and death caused by miscarriage, among other offences. The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was also invoked. During the investigation, provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were added.

Given the seriousness and sensitivity of the case, the police constituted an SIT headed by Additional SP Kishtwar Pardeep Singh. The team includes Deputy Superintendent of Police Nitish Sharma, Chatroo SHO Inspector Rishi Kumar and other officers. It has been directed to conduct a thorough, scientific and time-bound investigation into all aspects of the case.

During the inquest and subsequent investigation, evidence allegedly emerged against the government teacher, including allegations that he had repeatedly sexually assaulted the minor, resulting in her pregnancy.

The probe further revealed that the teacher, allegedly in criminal conspiracy with his brother, administered medicines purportedly intended to terminate the pregnancy, Singh said.

The girl was initially taken to the Public Health Centre in Chatroo for medical treatment and was later shifted to District Hospital Kishtwar by the accused and others. The police allege that the hospital's daily-wager sweeper was also involved in the conspiracy. The minor received treatment at the hospital and underwent an ultrasound examination.

Accordingly, Ishaq, Sheikh and the sweeper were arrested for their alleged involvement in the conspiracy, the SSP said. He added that further arrests would be made wherever warranted by evidence.

"The investigation is being conducted in a fair, impartial, professional, scientific and evidence-based manner," Singh said, adding that every aspect of the case was being examined and legal action would be taken against anyone found involved.

Meanwhile, the local Imam of Kishtwar Jamia Masjid has called for a complete shutdown across the district on Thursday, demanding a thorough investigation and action against all those responsible. The shutdown call has received support from various organisations, including lawyers and Hindu religious bodies.

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has also issued notices to the Jammu and Kashmir chief secretary, Director General of Police and Kishtwar SSP, seeking their responses within five days. The commission said it may summon the officials in person if they fail to respond. It has decided to probe the alleged rape and death of the minor girl.

Source: IANS