A sanitation worker at the district hospital in Kishtwar has been dismissed from his employment following his arrest in connection with an alleged conspiracy to conceal the sexual assault and subsequent termination of pregnancy of a 15-year-old tribal girl. The dismissal was confirmed by hospital authorities, who stated that the worker’s continued service was incompatible with the integrity of a public health institution given the gravity of the allegations.
The accused, identified as a daily-wager employed as a sweeper at the hospital, was arrested on Wednesday after being named as a suspect in the case. Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the hospital administration acted swiftly upon receiving notification from the police regarding the arrest. Medical Superintendent Yudhveer Singh Kotwal informed reporters on Thursday that the termination order had been issued, emphasizing that the worker was dismissed rather than suspended.
Mr. Kotwal clarified that the decision to dismiss the sanitation worker was based on the serious nature of the allegations and the offenses involved, deeming his presence in service detrimental to the discipline, integrity, and functioning of the hospital. When questioned about the minor girl’s admission to the hospital and other case specifics, Mr. Kotwal declined to comment, citing the ongoing police investigation and the need to avoid any action that could potentially influence its outcome. He assured that the hospital was cooperating fully with the police in their probe.
The tragic case involves a 15-year-old tribal girl who was allegedly subjected to repeated sexual assault by a teacher at her school over a period of several months, leading to her pregnancy. Officials reported that the girl later died following an alleged attempt to terminate the pregnancy in the Chatroo area. Police had previously arrested the government teacher and his brother on August 20 in connection with the incident.
A special investigation team (SIT), headed by Additional Superintendent of Police Pardeep Singh, was constituted to conduct a time-bound inquiry into the matter. During the course of the investigation, police alleged that the teacher repeatedly sexually assaulted the minor, resulting in her pregnancy. The teacher, in collusion with his brother, is accused of administering medicines purportedly to induce an abortion. According to police statements, the accused initially took the girl to a public health centre in Chatroo. Subsequently, she was transferred to the district hospital in Kishtwar. Police further allege that this transfer was facilitated in connivance with the accused sweeper. The girl subsequently delivered a stillborn child and later succumbed to her condition.
The SIT has now arrested a total of five individuals in connection with the case. Three of these arrests, including that of the sanitation worker, are for their alleged roles in concealing the sexual assault and facilitating the termination of the minor’s pregnancy. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy and ensure accountability for all involved parties in this deeply disturbing incident.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.