Budhal Tragedy Rocks J&K Assembly, MLAs Demand CBI Probe into 17 Mysterious Deaths
JAMMU, March 19: The deaths of 17 civilians in Badhaal village of Budhal, Rajouri, between December and January sparked intense debate in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly today. Several MLAs, including NC legislator Javed Choudhary, called for a CBI probe, linking the incident to similar unexplained deaths in Billawar (Kathua) and Kulgam.
Responding to concerns raised by legislators, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo stated that an inquiry is already underway. She urged MLAs to await its findings before taking further action.
Toxic Substances Found in Viscera Samples
Itoo revealed that forensic investigations detected traces of aluminium, cadmium, and various insecticides in food and viscera samples of the deceased. Reports from premier institutions such as PGIMER Chandigarh, CSIR-IITR Lucknow, DRDO Gwalior, and FSSAI Ghaziabad confirmed the presence of hazardous substances like Chlorphenapyr, Abrin, Aldicarb Sulphate, and Acetamiprid in food samples, including maize bread and sattu consumed by the victims.
“The authorities are actively probing the source of contamination, with forensic and toxicological experts involved. The police and health departments are working together to identify the origin of the poisoning and prevent further casualties,” Itoo said.
MLAs Demand Deeper Investigation
Raising supplementary questions, NC MLA Javed Choudhary argued that while the investigation has identified toxic substances, the key questions remain unanswered—who was responsible for poisoning the victims and why? He stressed that these deaths should not be treated as isolated incidents but part of a larger conspiracy.
“These deaths are eerily similar to the incidents in Kathua (Billawar) and Kulgam, where multiple civilians have died under mysterious circumstances. The government must hand over the case to the CBI or Crime Branch to uncover the truth,” Choudhary insisted.
Echoing his concerns, Independent MLA Choudhary Akram also demanded a CBI probe into the deaths in Budhal, Kathua, and Kulgam, expressing frustration that their appeals were being ignored. CPIM leader M.Y. Tarigami emphasized the need to investigate any external forces that might be influencing such incidents.
“This is unprecedented in J&K. The government has taken measures, but the root cause remains unknown. We need a credible inquiry and a House briefing on the findings,” Tarigami said.
Government’s Response and Medical Intervention
In response to the crisis, the government deployed medical teams from PGIMER Chandigarh and AIIMS New Delhi to assist local health authorities.
- 64 patients were admitted to GMC Rajouri; 41 were discharged after treatment.
- 17 critical cases were referred to GMC Jammu, and one patient was shifted to PGIMER Chandigarh for specialized care.
- Isolation units were set up at SMGS Hospital Jammu and GMC Jammu, where a dedicated team of specialists treated affected individuals.
Financial Assistance and Ongoing SIT Investigation
Itoo confirmed that the Deputy Commissioner of Rajouri provided financial aid from the Red Cross fund to the families of the deceased. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was also constituted on January 14 to probe the mysterious deaths.
The crisis began on December 7, 2024, when the first cluster of deaths was reported in Badhaal village. Initially suspected to be food poisoning, the situation escalated when a second wave of fatalities occurred on December 12, prompting deeper forensic investigations.
While the government insists on awaiting the inquiry report, the demand for a CBI probe continues to gain momentum, with legislators and citizens seeking justice for the victims and accountability from authorities.
