3 more arrested in Kishtwar tribal minor girl sexual assault case

District Police Kishtwar is conducting a comprehensive investigation into the suspicious death of a minor girl, aged about 15–16 years, from the Chatroo area. Three more accused persons were arrested today, taking the total number of arrests in the case to five.
While sharing the details, *SSP Kishtwar, Naresh Singh-JKPS,* stated that on 20.08.2026, Police Station Chatroo received information regarding the suspicious death of the minor girl. As no formal complaint had initially been received, inquest proceedings were initiated to ascertain the circumstances leading to her death.
During the course of the *inquest,* material disclosing the commission of cognizable offences surfaced, following which the proceedings were *converted into FIR No. 34/2026 at Police Station Chatroo under Sections 4/6/8/10/17 of the POCSO Act and Sections 61(2)/65(1)/90/91/92 of the BNS. During further investigation, Sections 3(1)(w)(i), 3(2)(v) and 3(2)(va) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were also added.*
Considering the seriousness and sensitivity of the case, *SSP Kishtwar* constituted a Special Investigation Team *(SIT)* headed by *Addl. SP Kishtwar,  Pardeep Singh-JKPS, comprising  Dy. SP PC Dachhan  Nitish Sharma, SHO PS Chatroo, Insp. Rishi Kumar, and other officers,* with directions to conduct a thorough, scientific and time-bound investigation into all aspects of the case.
During the inquest and subsequent investigation, material surfaced against *Khalid Hussain S/o Ghulam Mohd. Sheikh R/o Gorinal, Tehsil Chatroo, a teacher posted at Government Middle School, Gorinal,* where the minor was studying. The investigation has brought forth allegations of repeated sexual assault upon the minor, allegedly resulting in her pregnancy.
It further surfaced during investigation that Khalid Hussain, allegedly in criminal conspiracy with his brother Tariq Hussain S/o Ghulam Mohd. Sheikh R/o Gorinal, had provided/administered medicines purportedly intended to terminate the pregnancy.
Investigation further revealed that during the course of the minor’s medical treatment, she was initially taken to PHC Chatroo and thereafter shifted to District Hospital Kishtwar by Tariq Hussain and others, allegedly in connivance with *Farooq Ahmed, a daily-wage/sweeper employee at District Hospital Kishtwar,* she received medical treatment and underwent an ultrasound examination.
Further investigation led to the arrest of *Farooq Ahmed S/o Sana Ullah R/o Sangrambatta, Kishtwar; Mohd. Ishaq S/o Mohd. Khizar; and Riyaz Ahmed S/o Ghulam Mohd. Sheikh, both residents of Sheikh Pura, Gorinal, Tehsil Chatroo,* in connection with the alleged criminal conspiracy. With these three arrests, the total number of accused arrested in the case has reached five. *Further arrests, wherever warranted by evidence, are underway.*
The SIT is investigating all aspects of the case.
*SSP Kishtwar* reiterated that the investigation is being conducted in a fair, impartial, professional, scientific and evidence-based manner. Every aspect of the case is being thoroughly examined, and further legal action against any person found involved will be taken strictly according to law.