10 arrested so far; several others under scrutiny as Special Crime Branch continues investigation
Asif Iqbal Naik
Kishtwar, September 22: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has dismissed Khalid Hussain, Headmaster of Government Middle School Bumalpora, Gurinalla, Zone Inderwal, Kishtwar, from government service in connection with the rape and murder of a minor in Chatroo.
The School Education Department issued Government Order No. 388-JK(Edu) of 2026 dated September 21, 2026, ordering his dismissal under sub-clause (b) of the proviso to clause (2) of Article 311 of the Constitution of India.
The case was initially registered as FIR No. 34/2026 at Police Station Chatroo and was subsequently transferred to the Special Crime Branch (SCB), Jammu, where it is now registered as FIR No. 27.
The case has emerged as a major criminal investigation in Kishtwar, with 10 persons arrested so far, while several others are reportedly under scrutiny as the Special Crime Branch continues its probe into the circumstances surrounding the minor’s rape and murder.
Khalid Hussain, who was serving as the Headmaster of Government Middle School Bumalpora, Gurinalla, is among those facing action in connection with the case. The government has now taken departmental action against him by dismissing him from service.
According to the government order, the case involves serious offences registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, as well as provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
The order states that the competent authority considered the facts and circumstances of the matter and decided to impose the major penalty of dismissal from government service.
The government invoked Article 311(2)(b) of the Constitution, read with the applicable provisions of the J&K Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956, stating that it was not reasonably practicable to hold a departmental enquiry in the matter.
The order further records that the conduct attributed to the official was considered of such a serious nature that his continuation in government service would be detrimental to the interests of the Government and could undermine public confidence in government institutions.
Consequently, Khalid Hussain has been dismissed from government service, with the order also providing for his disqualification from future employment in Government service of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The government action is separate from the criminal proceedings underway before the investigating agency. The Special Crime Branch, Jammu, is continuing the investigation under FIR No. 27, with 10 arrests made so far and several other persons remaining under scrutiny.
The development assumes significance as the investigation continues to establish the complete sequence of events leading to the minor’s death and determine the role, if any, of other persons allegedly connected with the case.
The government order was issued by Ram Niwas Sharma, IAS, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, School Education Department, on September 21, 2026, and communicated to the concerned administrative, police and district authorities.
