Jammu, 27 August (H.S.): Police here today arrested three more accused persons while investigating the alleged rape and death of a minor tribal girl in Chatroo area.

With these arrests, the total number of arrests in the case has gone to five.

Sharing details in this regard, SSP Kishtwar, Naresh Singh stated that on August 20, 2026, Police Station Chatroo received information regarding the suspicious death of the minor girl. As no formal complaint was initially received, inquest proceedings were initiated to ascertain the circumstances leading to her death.

During 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 Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were also added.

Considering seriousness and sensitivity of the case, SSP Kishtwar constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Addl. SP Kishtwar, Pardeep Singh, 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 investigation, material surfaced against Khalid Hussain, son of Ghulam Mohd. Sheikh, resident of Gorinal, Tehsil Chatroo, a teacher posted at Government Middle School, Gorinal, where the minor was studying. The investigation 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, son of Ghulam Mohd. Sheikh, resident of Gorinal, provided/administered medicines to the minor girl to terminate the pregnancy.

Investigation further revealed that during the course of 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 into the case led to the arrest of Farooq Ahmed, son of Sana Ullah, resident of Sangrambatta, Kishtwar; Mohd. Ishaq, son of Mohd. Khizar and Riyaz Ahmed, son of Ghulam Mohd. Sheikh, both residents of Sheikh Pura, Gorinal, Tehsil Chatroo.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar