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| Kishtwar minor death case: NCST likely to step in, team may visit Chatroo soon | | |  Muskan Thakur
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 25: The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) is likely to send a team to Chatroo in Kishtwar district shortly to inquire into the alleged sexual assault, pregnancy and subsequent death of a Class V Gujjar Scheduled Tribe girl, following a complaint filed by the Tribal Gujjar Bakkerwal Welfare Foundation (TGBWF).
Highly placed sources said the Commission has taken serious note of the incident and decided to closely monitor the investigation.
The proposed visit is aimed at taking stock of the situation on the ground and interacting with the victim’s family, particularly amid allegations that some influential persons may be attempting to shield those accused in the case.
The development comes days after the TGBWF approached the NCST seeking action against the accused under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The Foundation has also sought compensation for the victim’s family and monitoring of the investigation into FIR No. 34/2026 registered at Police Station Chatroo in connection with the alleged repeated sexual assault, pregnancy and subsequent death of the minor.
In its detailed complaint, filed through member-trustee Kabir Ahmed, the Foundation urged the Commission to treat the matter as an urgent atrocity-related complaint and seek periodic progress reports from the authorities until the investigation reaches its lawful conclusion.
The TGBWF has also sought a comprehensive Action Taken Report (ATR) from the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and other concerned authorities, particularly on why provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were not invoked and what steps have been taken regarding the investigation, protection of the family, compensation and rehabilitation.
According to the complaint, the deceased girl, a Class V student belonging to the notified Gujjar Scheduled Tribe, was allegedly subjected to repeated sexual assault by Khalid Hussain, who is stated to have been her teacher and headmaster of a government school.
The FIR names Khalid Hussain and his brother, Tariq Hussain, under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The Foundation, however, has questioned the non-invocation of the SC/ST Act despite the victim belonging to a Scheduled Tribe.
The TGBWF has urged the NCST to direct the police to examine the applicability of the SC/ST Act and take action in accordance with law. It has emphasised that the principal accused allegedly occupied a position of authority and trust as the child's teacher and was acquainted with her family.
The complaint has also raised serious allegations regarding attempts to suppress or settle the matter after the girl's pregnancy came to light. The Foundation has alleged that threats, monetary inducements and a community-level panchayat may have been used and has sought an independent inquiry into the role of every person allegedly involved.
It has further sought investigation into the reported pregnancy-termination episode, including the role, if any, of medical practitioners or intermediaries.
The Foundation has asked authorities to preserve all relevant evidence, including videos, electronic communications, call records, financial transactions, school records, medical and diagnostic documents, prescriptions, pharmacy records and medicines. It has also sought examination of whether any school official, medical practitioner, panchayat participant or other person having prior knowledge of the alleged offences failed to report them as required under the POCSO Act.
Expressing concern over the family's economic, social and migratory vulnerabilities, the TGBWF has sought an immediate threat assessment and effective protection for the victim's parents, siblings and material witnesses. It has demanded safeguards against intimidation, coercion, inducement and retaliation, besides secure accommodation and transportation wherever required.
The Foundation has also requested immediate payment of statutory compensation and rehabilitation benefits to the family under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, along with any additional compensation available under other applicable laws.
Meanwhile, the incident has triggered widespread outrage in Kishtwar, with residents cutting across caste, community and religious lines demanding a fair and time-bound investigation and stringent action against those found responsible.
The minor girl reportedly died while being taken for medical treatment after her pregnancy was discovered. Police have arrested the alleged headmaster and his brother in connection with the case.
The TGBWF has maintained that the allegations must be investigated impartially and that guilt must be established strictly in accordance with law. It has also urged the authorities, media organisations and the public to protect the identity, dignity and privacy of the deceased child and her family and refrain from sensationalising the case during the ongoing legal process. |
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