Kishtwar minor rape-death case: Nurse arrested as sixth accused, Mehbooba seeks crime branch probe

Ten days after the alleged rape and subsequent death of a minor tribal girl in Chatroo, Kishtwar, former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Saturday called for an immediate Crime Branch probe, warning that the prolonged wait for justice was adding to the grief of the victim’s family and shaking public faith in the system.

The demand came amid fresh developments in the case, with Kishtwar Police arresting Sonika, a nurse at District Hospital Kishtwar, as the sixth accused after her alleged involvement emerged during the investigation being conducted by the SIT. Police said the SIT is conducting a scientific, impartial and evidence-based probe and that further arrests will be made wherever warranted by evidence.

Mehbooba wrote on X; “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”.

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

Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has also expressed profound shock and concern over the reported rape and subsequent death of a minor tribal girl in Kishtwar. He said the circumstances surrounding the case are deeply disturbing and have understandably caused anguish across society. While noting the arrests and ongoing investigation, he stressed that the matter must be investigated thoroughly, impartially and without delay so that the truth is established and all those found responsible are held accountable under law.

Meanwhile in a statement, the Kishtwar Police today said that the number of arrests has increased to six with the detention of a nurse, Sonika of the district hospital Kishtwar.                                                                          

The arrest has been made in connection with FIR No. 34/2026 of Police Station Chatroo, registered under relevant provisions of the POCSO Act, BNS and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Five accused had already been arrested, and the role of Sonika subsequently surfaced during the investigation, leading to her arrest as the sixth accused, Police said.

Strict legal action will be taken against all persons found involved in accordance with law. District Police Kishtwar reaffirms its commitment to an expeditious and thorough investigation and shall ensure no one guilty is spared, Police stated.