Kishtwar, May 25, 2026: In a significant development in the POCSO and IT Act case recently registered in Kishtwar, police have arrested another accused in connection with the investigation, further widening the scope of the case involving allegations of online exploitation and intimidation.
The newly arrested accused has been identified as Sufiyan Ahmed, son of Ghulam Nabi Lone, a resident of Ladsa Sarthal, aged around 25 years, who reportedly works as a private vehicle driver.
According to police sources, the accused is alleged to have blackmailed the victim by seeking sexual favours and allegedly threatened to circulate videos on social media if his demands were not met. Sources further stated that another individual has also been questioned by investigators after allegedly receiving the victim’s video through one of the accused persons.
As part of the ongoing investigation, Kishtwar Police have seized the mobile phones of the accused for forensic examination, collection of digital evidence and analysis of data relevant to the case.
Officials said the case is being investigated by SHO Police Station Kishtwar Firdous Ahmed, while DySP Headquarters Kishtwar Dr. Ishan Gupta is personally monitoring the investigation.
One police official, while speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated that at this stage investigators cannot comment on the exact number of accused allegedly involved in circulating the victim’s video or on their specific roles in the matter. The official, however, indicated that the investigation has expanded and that more arrests are likely in the coming days as a few suspects are still allegedly at large.
Earlier, police had arrested 21-year-old Toufeeq Umar Lone, a BA Pharmacy student from Punjab and resident of Darangi Sarthal, in connection with FIR No. 113 registered under Sections 3/4 and 11/12 of the POCSO Act, Section 67B of the Information Technology Act and Section 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police officials stated that the investigation remains in progress and all digital and other evidentiary aspects of the case are being thoroughly examined. Authorities have not disclosed further details considering the sensitive nature of the case and legal provisions relating to protection of victims.
