KISHTWAR, OCTOBER 6: The Crime Branch investigation into the alleged sexual exploitation and subsequent death of a minor girl from Chatroo in Kishtwar has widened further, with the arrest of two more persons, taking the total number of arrests in the case to 12.
The latest arrests are those of Haroon Mir, a medical shop owner, and Abdul Latief Banday, a government teacher posted at Middle School Major in Inderwal Zone. Investigators are examining their alleged roles in events following the discovery of the minor’s pregnancy, including her medical treatment and transportation.
The case was initially registered as FIR No. 34/2026 at Police Station Chatroo and was subsequently transferred to the Special Crime Wing of the Crime Branch, Jammu, where a fresh FIR No. 27 was registered. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is investigating the circumstances surrounding the case and the alleged role of individuals connected with it.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, the victim’s father has alleged that Haroon Mir became involved after the family learned about the minor’s pregnancy. Investigators are examining allegations that Mir discouraged the family from immediately approaching police and allegedly attempted to prevent the matter from becoming public.
The Crime Branch is also examining allegations that Mir was operating a medical shop illegally from within the premises of PHC Chatroo and whether medicines or other assistance were provided in connection with the minor’s pregnancy.
The alleged role of government teacher Abdul Latief Banday is also under investigation. Sources said Banday allegedly travelled around 30 kilometres from Kishtwar to Chatroo at Mir’s request and accompanied the minor and her father to Kishtwar for an ultrasound examination.
The ultrasound reportedly confirmed the pregnancy. Investigators are now examining the circumstances surrounding the examination and the subsequent steps taken by those involved.
Earlier, ten persons had already been arrested in connection with the case. They include alleged prime accused and government teacher Khalid Hussain Sheikh, his brother Tariq Hussain, Riyaz Hussain, Mohd Isaq, Farooq Ahmed, nurse Sonika Parihar, sanitation worker Zareena Begum, Noor Din, Haji Ghulam Qadir Sheikh and Peer Bakash.
The Crime Branch is examining the alleged role of different accused at various stages, including the alleged sexual exploitation of the minor, discovery and concealment of the pregnancy, alleged attempts to terminate the pregnancy, medical treatment, transportation and the circumstances preceding her death.
The government has also dismissed Khalid Hussain Sheikh from service under Article 311(2)(b) of the Constitution in connection with the allegations.
According to a Crime Branch status report submitted before the Principal Sessions Court, Kishtwar, investigators have collected medical records from PHC Chatroo, District Hospital Kishtwar and GMC Doda.
The investigation has established that the minor was being transported towards GMC Doda after her condition deteriorated. During the journey, she reportedly delivered a premature/dead male child. Her condition subsequently worsened and she was referred onward in Ambulance 108, but died while being shifted.
Investigators have seized private vehicles allegedly used to transport the minor and examined persons involved in the transportation. Call Detail Records of persons connected with the case have also been collected and sent to the Forensic Science Laboratory.
A major unanswered question remains the biological identity of the father of the newborn male child.
The Crime Branch has preserved biological samples and viscera for forensic examination and DNA profiling. Sources said more than 30 persons, including some minors, have undergone DNA sampling/testing as investigators seek to establish the biological parentage of the newborn.
Officials familiar with the investigation cautioned that it would be premature to identify anyone as the biological father until the DNA examination and final forensic reports are received.
The DNA evidence is expected to play a crucial role in establishing biological relationships and helping investigators reconstruct the sequence of events surrounding the minor’s pregnancy.
The Crime Branch has informed the court that the investigation remains ongoing and that several forensic and other material reports are awaited. Investigators are also examining hospital records, witness statements, call records, transportation details and other documentary and electronic evidence.
The agency is further examining whether any individuals attempted to suppress information about the pregnancy, facilitated or encouraged unlawful medical intervention, misled the victim’s family or otherwise interfered with the chain of events preceding the minor’s death.
With the latest arrests, the investigation has expanded further into the network of persons who allegedly came into contact with the minor and her family after the pregnancy was discovered.
Official sources indicated that more arrests may follow in the coming days as the Crime Branch continues to examine documentary, medical, forensic and electronic evidence.
The allegations mentioned in the report remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings. The accused are entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty by a court of law.
