- Body recovered nearly 200 metres from residence
- Police deploy tracker dogs, scan CCTV footage
- LG Sinha, CM Omar condemn killing, assure exemplary punishment for culprits
- Local suspects being questioned: SSP Budgam
Srinagar: A 12-year-old girl who went missing from her home in central Kashmir’s Budgam district on Saturday evening was found dead near her residence on Sunday morning, with police saying the case is “prima facie” one of rape and murder.
The incident has triggered widespread grief and anger in Galwanpora village of Budgam, where residents assembled demanding immediate arrest of those responsible and strict punishment for the culprits.
According to police, information regarding the disappearance of the minor girl was received at Police Station Budgam around 10 pm on May 23. Following the complaint, police registered FIR No. 139/2026 under relevant sections pertaining to kidnapping of a minor and launched extensive searches throughout the night.
The body of the girl was recovered around 7:15 am on Sunday from a location nearly 200 metres away from her residence, officials said.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha strongly condemned the brutal killing of a minor girl in Budgam.
He spoked with the Director General of Police and senior officials and issued strict instructions to ensure a thorough investigation. He assured that those responsible for this heinous crime will not go unpunished.
LG Sinha also expressed his deepest condolences and solidarity with the bereaved family in this difficult hour.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah condemned the killing, calling it “shocking and deeply distressing.”
“While the appropriate agencies enquire into the circumstances of her murder, it is also fitting that we reflect on where we as a society are headed when our young children are not safe,” the Chief Minister said.
He assured full support to the investigating agencies and said those found guilty would face exemplary punishment under law.
Addressing a press conference, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Budgam Hariprasad K K said preliminary findings suggest sexual assault and murder.
“At this stage, prima facie, it appears to be a case of rape and murder, and all relevant sections of law have been added,” he said.
Police have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by DySP Headquarters Budgam Sajad Ahmad-JKPS to probe the case.
He said investigators are examining all possible angles while forensic and technical evidence is being collected from the scene. Tracker dogs have been deployed within nearly a one-kilometre radius of the recovery site and CCTV footage from adjoining areas is being scanned for leads.
“Local suspects are being questioned and evidence seizure and verification processes are going on continuously and simultaneously,” the SSP said, adding that the case was being treated as the “top priority” of Budgam Police.
The incident triggered outrage and grief in the area, with residents gathering near the victim’s home and demanding immediate arrest of those responsible.
Family members said the girl had left home around 4 pm on Saturday to attend a religious class but failed to return.
“When I saw her, she had been brutally murdered. There were injuries on her face and her body was lying partially submerged in water,” the victim’s maternal uncle said.
Residents described the killing as shocking and said fear had gripped the locality following the incident.
Police appealed to the public and media organisations not to disclose the identity or photographs of the victim, saying the identity of a minor victim is protected under law.
Authorities also urged people to refrain from circulating rumours or unverified information on social media, warning that speculation could hamper the investigation.
