Kishtwar police have invoked sections of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in the case of a minor girl’s alleged rape, impregnation, and subsequent death. This action follows a notice issued by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) to the Jammu and Kashmir administration and police, questioning the prior non-invocation of the Act. The 15-year-old victim reportedly died during an alleged forced abortion attempt, a situation in which multiple individuals are suspected to be involved.
Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the Kishtwar police have now added Sections 3(1)(w)(i), 3(2)(v), and 3(2)(va) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act to the existing First Information Report (FIR). The FIR was initially lodged at the Chatroo police station under various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), following the girl’s death. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Kishtwar, Naresh Singh, confirmed the addition of the SC/ST Act provisions during the ongoing investigation.
The investigation has identified Khalid Hussain, a schoolteacher at the Government Middle School in Gorinal where the victim was a student, as the main accused. Allegations point to repeated sexual assaults on the minor by Hussain, which allegedly led to her pregnancy. The SSP stated that every aspect of the case is being thoroughly examined, and further legal action will be taken against anyone found involved, strictly in accordance with the law. To date, five individuals have been arrested in connection with the case, including Khalid Hussain and his brother Tariq Hussain.
The NCST had formally requested the J&K administration to provide details regarding the actions taken concerning the allegations that the SC/ST Act had not been applied in the case. The Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust (GDCT), an organization dedicated to the welfare of the community, highlighted in a press conference that the targeting of a minor from a highly vulnerable tribal community exposes significant deficiencies in the protection mechanisms for girls in remote mountainous regions. The trust urged for an unbiased and transparent investigation, monitored at the highest administrative levels to prevent any potential local political interference. They also called for immediate and rigorous safety audits across all schools in remote and tribal areas by the Department of School Education to safeguard vulnerable students from future exploitation, in addition to criminal prosecution.
The police investigation has also shed light on the circumstances surrounding the victim’s medical treatment. She was initially taken to the Primary Health Centre in Chatroo and subsequently transferred to the District Hospital, Kishtwar. According to police findings, Tariq Hussain and others allegedly facilitated this transfer, possibly in collusion with Farooq Ahmed, a daily-wage sweeper employee at the District Hospital, Kishtwar, where an ultrasound examination was conducted. Further investigation indicates that Khalid Hussain, in alleged criminal conspiracy with his brother Tariq Hussain, administered medicines believed to be intended for terminating the pregnancy.
In addition to Khalid and Tariq Hussain, the police have arrested Farooq Ahmed, Mohd Ishaq, and Riyaz Ahmed in connection with the alleged criminal conspiracy. The incident has prompted a strong reaction from local communities, with both Hindu and Muslim bodies observing a bandh (strike) in Kishtwar on Thursday. The strike was called jointly by the Majlis-e-Shura and the Sanatan Dharam Sabha, leading to the closure of shops and business establishments across the district, and disruption of public transport. Security forces were deployed in significant numbers in Kishtwar town and Chatroo to maintain peace and ensure normalcy following the widespread protests.
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.