Srinagar: The Crime Branch Jammu and Kashmir has filed a chargesheet against 15 accused in the alleged rape and death of a minor tribal girl in Kishtwar district, within 60 days of taking over the investigation.
The chargesheet, running to more than 1,000 pages, cites 143 witnesses, a Crime Branch spokesperson said, adding that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) filed it within the stipulated period.
The case concerns allegations that the minor was repeatedly sexually exploited by her schoolteacher, resulting in pregnancy, and subsequently died amid an attempted termination of the advanced pregnancy and the circumstances surrounding her medical treatment.
According to the Crime Branch, the investigation examined alleged sexual exploitation of the girl, an attempt to terminate her pregnancy outside an authorised medical facility, alleged lapses in medical treatment and efforts to prevent the incident from being reported to law-enforcement authorities.
The minor died on August 20, 2026. The case was initially registered as FIR No. 34/2026 at Police Station Chatroo and was later transferred to the Special Crime Wing of the Crime Branch in Jammu, where it was re-registered as FIR No. 27/2026.
The investigation has examined the circumstances leading to the girl’s pregnancy, the attempted termination, the treatment provided to her and the alleged roles of people connected with the incident. The precise allegations against each accused are to be established through evidence before the court.
The chargesheet invokes applicable provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
It was presented before the Court of the Munsiff Judge, Kishtwar, who is holding charge as the Principal District and Sessions Judge in the absence of the regular presiding officer, who is on leave, the spokesperson said.
The SIT was constituted by Inspector General of Police, Crime, Jammu and Kashmir, Sarah Rizvi, and headed by Sanjay Kumar Parihar, Senior Superintendent of Police, Special Crime Wing, Jammu.
The spokesperson said the team conducted the investigation through coordinated efforts and examined the available evidence before filing the chargesheet. Further investigation, including a supplementary chargesheet, may follow if additional evidence emerges, in accordance with law.
The filing of the chargesheet marks a further step in the judicial proceedings. The allegations against the accused remain subject to adjudication by the competent court.
