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| Chatroo minor death probe still underway, forensic results awaited: Crime Branch tells Kishtwar Court | | | Asif Iqbal Naik
Early Times Report
KISHTWAR, Sept 27: The Special Crime Wing of the Crime Branch, Jammu, has informed the Court of the Principal Sessions Judge, Kishtwar, that the investigation into the suspicious death of a minor school-going girl from Chatroo is still in progress, with forensic results and other material evidence yet to be received, collected and examined.
The status report was filed in a case concerning the death of the minor daughter of Mohd. Shafi, resident of Bumalpora/Gorinal, Tehsil Chatroo. According to the report, reliable information regarding the suspicious death of the girl, aged about 13–14 years, was received on August 20, 2026, after her dead body was found at District Hospital Kishtwar.
Inquest proceedings under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were subsequently initiated at Police Station Chatroo to ascertain the cause and circumstances of her death.
The report states that FIR No. 34/2026 was initially registered at Police Station Chatroo and was later transferred to the Crime Branch for investigation. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by Crime Branch Headquarters, J&K, is presently conducting the probe.
During the investigation, the SIT has collected relevant evidence and recorded statements of material witnesses under Sections 183 and 180 of the BNSS, as applicable. Relevant records have also been collected from PHC Chatroo, District Hospital Kishtwar and GMC Doda and are being examined as part of the investigation.
The Crime Branch further informed the court that during inquest proceedings, the bodies of the minor girl and a newborn male child were taken into police custody and subjected to post-mortem examination by a Board of Doctors at District Hospital Kishtwar. Necessary biological samples and viscera were preserved for forensic examination and DNA profiling. After completion of the requisite legal formalities, the bodies were handed over to their legal heirs for last rites.
The status report states that the specific role attributable to each accused is being ascertained during the ongoing investigation. While some accused persons were initially arrested by the local police, certain other persons surfaced during further investigation and were subsequently arrested by the SIT in accordance with law.
According to the investigation conducted so far, accused persons including Tariq Hussain, Farooq Ahmed and Mohd. Isaq, along with the concerned vehicle drivers, transported the minor girl to GMC Doda. The report states that during the journey, she delivered a premature/dead male child. As her condition deteriorated, she was referred to GMC Jammu in Ambulance 108, but she unfortunately expired en route.
The SIT has also collected relevant hospital records, seized the vehicle allegedly used for transportation of the deceased and recorded statements of material witnesses. Call Detail Records (CDRs) of connected accused persons have been procured from the concerned authorities and forwarded to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for examination.
The Crime Branch has stated that necessary steps have been taken for the collection, preservation and examination of material evidence and that the investigation is being conducted fairly and impartially in accordance with law to establish the complete facts of the case and determine the role, if any, of each person connected with the occurrence.
The report also states that the SIT has adhered to the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act during the investigation.
The Crime Branch has told the court that the investigation remains in progress and the SIT is continuing to collect and scrutinise documentary, forensic and other material evidence. It has further stated that all necessary efforts are being made to ascertain the complete facts and circumstances of the occurrence and place the findings before the competent court in accordance with law.
The status report seeks disposal of the application, pointing out that the investigation is still underway and certain material evidence, including forensic results and other relevant material, is yet to be received, collected and examined. |
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