School teacher among five arrested in Chatroo case, says police
SIT constituted to conduct time-bound probe into sexual assault, death
Srinagar: A shutdown was observed across parts of Kishtwar district on Thursday following the death of a 14-year-old girl from Chatroo, who police said was allegedly sexually assaulted and became pregnant.
Five persons, including a schoolteacher, have been arrested in connection with the case, according to police.
The victim, a Class IV student at Government Middle School Bumalpora in the Gurinalla area of Chatroo, was taken by her family to District Hospital Kishtwar on August 20 for termination of pregnancy, officials said.
She was later referred to Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu for specialised treatment but died while being shifted in an ambulance.
SSP Kishtwar Naresh Singh said inquest proceedings were initially initiated to establish the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death. During the investigation, police said material indicating cognisable offences emerged, following which an FIR was registered at Police Station Chatroo, he said.
SSP said the case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Provisions of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were subsequently added during the investigation, police said.
Meanwhile, a Special Investigation Team headed by the Additional SP Kishtwar was constituted to conduct a thorough and time-bound investigation.
According to the SSP, the investigation brought allegations against Khalid Hussain, a teacher posted at Government Middle School, Gorinal, where the minor was studying. Police alleged that the girl was subjected to repeated sexual assault, resulting in pregnancy.
Police further alleged that Khalid, along with his brother Tariq Hussain, provided and administered medicines purportedly intended to terminate the pregnancy.
The investigation also examined the girl’s treatment at PHC Chatroo and District Hospital Kishtwar. Police said she was shifted to the district hospital by Tariq Hussain and others, allegedly with the involvement of Farooq Ahmed, a daily-wage/sweeper employee at the hospital. She underwent medical treatment and an ultrasound examination at the facility, police said.
Farooq Ahmed of Kishtwar, along with Mohammad Ishaq and Riyaz Ahmed, both residents of Sheikh Pura, Gorinal, were subsequently arrested, taking the total number of arrests to five.
The SSP said further arrests would be made wherever warranted by evidence and maintained that the investigation was being conducted in a fair, impartial and evidence-based manner.
The accused teacher has also been suspended by the authorities.
The incident has triggered widespread outrage across Jammu and Kashmir, with political and religious leaders and civil society groups demanding strict action against those found responsible.
Kishtwar observed a shutdown on Thursday, with shops and business establishments remaining closed in Chatroo and other parts of the district.
Imam of Jamia Masjid Kishtwar Farooq Ahmed Kichloo had called for a complete bandh, demanding justice for the victim and urging the administration and investigating agencies to ensure a fair, transparent and time-bound investigation.
