by Asif Iqbal Naik
SRINAGAR: 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 girl from Chatroo is still underway, with forensic reports and other material evidence yet to be received, collected and examined.
The status report was filed in connection with the death of the minor daughter of Mohd Shafi, a resident of Bumalpora/Gorinal in Tehsil Chatroo.
According to the Crime Branch, reliable information regarding the suspicious death of the girl, aged around 13–14 years, was received on August 20, 2026, after her 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 surrounding her death.
The report states that FIR No. 34/2026 was initially registered at Police Station Chatroo before being transferred to the Crime Branch for investigation. A Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the Crime Branch Headquarters, J&K, is currently 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. Records from PHC Chatroo, District Hospital Kishtwar and GMC Doda have also been collected and are being examined.
The Crime Branch told the court that during the 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, the report states. Following completion of the requisite legal formalities, the bodies were handed over to their legal heirs for last rites.
The Crime Branch further stated that the specific role allegedly attributable to each accused is being ascertained as the investigation progresses. While some persons were initially arrested by the local police, certain other persons surfaced during the course of further investigation and were subsequently arrested by the SIT in accordance with law.
As per the investigation conducted so far, the report names Tariq Hussain, Farooq Ahmed and Mohd Isaq, along with the concerned vehicle drivers, in connection with the transportation of the minor girl to GMC Doda.
The report states that during the journey, the girl delivered a premature/dead male child. It further states that after her condition deteriorated, she was referred to GMC Jammu in an Ambulance 108, but died while being taken there.
The SIT has also collected relevant hospital records, seized the vehicle allegedly used to transport the deceased and recorded statements of material witnesses.
Call Detail Records (CDRs) of persons connected with the case have been obtained from the concerned authorities and forwarded to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for examination, according to the status report.
The Crime Branch has stated that necessary measures 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.
It said the probe is aimed at establishing the complete facts and circumstances of the occurrence and determining the role, if any, of each person connected with the case.
The report further states that the SIT has complied with the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act during the course of the investigation.
The Crime Branch has told the court that the investigation remains in progress, with the SIT continuing to collect and scrutinise documentary, forensic and other material evidence.
It has sought disposal of the application, stating that certain material evidence, including forensic results and other relevant material, is still awaited or remains to be collected and examined before the investigation can be brought to its logical conclusion.
