by Asif Iqbal Naik
SRINAGAR: The Crime Branch Jammu has submitted a chargesheet against 15 accused in the Kishtwar minor rape-death case, with the prosecution report reportedly running into more than 1,000 pages and listing 143 witnesses.
The chargesheet was presented before the Munsiff Judge Kishtwar, who is holding charge as the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Kishtwar, as the regular presiding judge is on leave.
According to information available, 12 accused remain in jail, while three others have been granted bail in connection with allegations relating to failure to report the matter to the police. Two other accused, identified as drivers Raiz Ahmed and Abid Hussain, are yet to be arrested, according to the information provided.
The investigation is reportedly continuing, and a supplementary chargesheet could be filed in the coming weeks. The Crime Branch has not disclosed the biological father of the newborn delivered by the minor.
Accused named in the investigation
The accused include Khalid Hussain, the in-charge headmaster of Government Middle School, Bumalpora, Gorinal, who is accused of sexually exploiting the minor; Sonika Parihar, an NHM-associated staff nurse; Zareena Begum, a hospital sanitation worker; and Peer Baksh Bumal, a local community leader from Udil, Chatroo.
Other accused include Tariq Hussain, Farooq Ahmed, Gh. Qadir Sheikh, Noor Din and Mohd. Ishaq, whose alleged roles relate to procuring medicines, facilitating arrangements, transportation or attempts to suppress information about the incident.
The investigation has also named Abdul Latief Bhanday, a teacher posted at Middle School Majhor, and Haroon Mir, a medical shop owner accused of illegally operating a shop from the premises of Primary Health Centre (PHC) Chatroo.
The precise allegations against each accused are matters for the prosecution to establish before the court. Their inclusion in the investigation does not, by itself, establish guilt.
Raiz Ahmed and Abid Hussain, both drivers, are yet to be arrested, according to the information available. Their status should be distinguished from that of the accused against whom the chargesheet has been filed.
Three accused granted bail
Three accused, including two doctors, were reportedly granted bail in proceedings concerning allegations of failure to report the matter to the police. Manzoor Ahmed Bumal was also reported to have received bail on similar allegations after furnishing surety bonds.
The Principal Sessions Court, Kishtwar, had earlier rejected the regular bail applications of staff nurse Sonika Parihar, hospital sanitation worker Zareena Begum and community leader Peer Baksh Bumal.
The prosecution had cited the gravity of the allegations, the alleged roles of the accused and concerns regarding possible witness intimidation or interference with evidence.
Biological father of newborn not disclosed
An important unanswered question concerns the biological paternity of the newborn delivered by the minor. The Crime Branch has not disclosed the biological father’s identity in the information available so far.
Biological samples were reportedly collected during the investigation. Any conclusion about paternity, however, would need to be supported by verified forensic findings and official investigative records.
Supplementary chargesheet may follow
The initial case was registered as FIR No. 34/2026 at Police Station Chatroo following the minor’s death on August 20, 2026. It was subsequently transferred to the Crime Branch’s Special Crime Wing, Jammu, and re-registered as FIR No. 27/2026.
The case concerns allegations of sexual exploitation of a minor, an attempted termination of her advanced pregnancy outside an authorised medical setting, alleged lapses in medical treatment and attempts to prevent the matter from reaching law-enforcement authorities.
The chargesheet reportedly contains more than 1,000 pages and lists 143 witnesses. The accused face 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.
With the chargesheet submitted, the case will proceed through the judicial process. Further investigative developments, including a possible supplementary chargesheet, may follow. The guilt or innocence of the accused will ultimately be determined by the competent court on the basis of evidence presented during trial.
