Rape-death case of Kishtwar’s tribal minor transferred to Crime Branch

Probe into the rape and subsequent death of a 15-year-old girl in Kishtwar district has been handed over to the Crime Branch, officials said on Saturday.

The teenager had been allegedly raped by her school teacher over several months. She died on August 20 during a pregnancy termination procedure. 

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the police has so far arrested six persons in connection with the case, including the alleged rapist teacher and a nurse.

The case transfer to the Crime Branch comes amid demands for a prompt and comprehensive investigation and strict action against the guilty. 

A Crime Branch officer confirmed that the agency had received communication from the Police Headquarters regarding the transfer of the case.

Former CM Mehbooba Mufti had urged LG Manoj Sinha to immediately transfer the case to the Crime Branch.

She wrote on X; “I urge Hon’ble LG @manojsinha_ to immediately hand over the case to the Crime Branch for a fair, transparent and time bound investigation”.

“The rape and murder of a school girl  in Chatroo, Kishtwar, is not merely another instance of rising crimes against women. It is a deep, festering wound on the conscience of our society. Ten days on, the silence surrounding this brutal crime is only deepening the anguish of the grieving family and eroding public faith in the justice system. If decisive action is not taken now and the perpetrators brought to justice with exemplary punishment, such heinous crimes will continue with impunity”, she added.