The Crime Branch of the Jammu and Kashmir Police has apprehended the tenth individual in connection with the alleged rape and subsequent death of a 15-year-old girl from the Gujjar community in the Kishtwar district. The victim’s tragic demise occurred during an attempted termination of a pregnancy that resulted from alleged sexual assault by her school teacher. The investigation, which was transferred to the Crime Branch from the local Kishtwar Police following widespread public outcry and protests, has intensified with this latest arrest.
Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that the newly arrested accused, identified as Peer Baksh, is a local Gujjar leader. He is alleged to have played a role in facilitating efforts to silence the victim’s family after her pregnancy became known. Investigators stated that Baksh had reportedly fled to Srinagar in the aftermath of the girl’s death at the District Hospital, Kishtwar. He subsequently returned to Kishtwar, where he was taken into custody by Crime Branch officials after questioning regarding his alleged involvement in the case.
The Crime Branch has been actively pursuing leads, conducting raids at multiple locations across the district. These searches included several local clinics where the victim was reportedly examined after her pregnancy was detected. The FIR in the case names Khalid Hussain, a resident of Gorinal in Chatroo tehsil and a teacher at the victim’s school, as the primary accused. According to the FIR, Hussain repeatedly sexually assaulted the minor, leading to her pregnancy. The investigation has further uncovered that Hussain, allegedly in collusion with his brother Tariq Hussain, administered medicines with the purported aim of terminating the pregnancy. Several employees of the District Hospital, Kishtwar, have also been arrested for their alleged complicity in aiding the accused.
The case, which has deeply disturbed the region, was officially transferred to the Crime Branch on August 29. This move was a direct response to the significant public anger and demonstrations that erupted in the wake of the incident. The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy and bring all individuals involved in the alleged crime and subsequent cover-up attempts to justice. The Crime Branch’s efforts are focused on meticulously piecing together the sequence of events, from the initial assault to the attempts to conceal the pregnancy and the ultimate tragic outcome for the young victim. The involvement of a local leader in allegedly facilitating a cover-up adds a complex layer to the ongoing inquiry, highlighting potential community pressures and interference in the pursuit of justice. The examination of local clinics underscores the investigative agency’s commitment to exploring all avenues related to the victim’s medical examinations and any potential interventions related to her pregnancy. The arrests of hospital staff further indicate a broader network of individuals who may have been involved in obstructing the investigation or aiding the accused. The meticulous approach of the Crime Branch is crucial in ensuring that all evidence is gathered and that the legal process is followed without prejudice, providing a measure of accountability for the grave allegations.
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.
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