Government Response
Jammu and Kashmir's Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary on Saturday condemned the death of a 15-year-old tribal girl in Kishtwar district, saying the government would not tolerate any form of violence, injustice or cruelty against children. Calling the incident "unfortunate and disturbing," Choudhary stated, as reported by The Tribune, that the government would never tolerate such acts and would go "to whatever extent necessary to stop such incidents."
He also noted that though the police are not under the administrative control of the elected government, this could not be an excuse for allowing injustice, particularly against girls. His remarks followed a surprise inspection of a government hospital in Jammu, where he took strong exception to the deployment of girl students at reception counters and ordered immediate corrective measures.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday directed the School Education Department to complete its inquiry into the incident expeditiously so that stringent and exemplary action can be ensured, as reported by both the Daily Excelsior and The Tribune. In a directive posted on his official X handle, he also instructed concerned authorities to complete the inquiry within one month and take all necessary steps to bring the investigation to its logical conclusion, stressing the need for a thorough and time-bound inquiry.
Incident details
The incident at the centre of the case occurred in Chatroo area of Kishtwar district on Thursday evening. According to a report by The Tribune, the 15-year-old girl was allegedly raped repeatedly by her teacher for months, resulting in pregnancy and death following an abortion attempt. The Tribune detailed the final days of the girl's short life, noting that about a fortnight before her death, she had complained of stomach pain and was examined at a local health centre where her pregnancy was detected.
In the days that followed, the accused offered money to the girl's family and threatened them against approaching the police, as per information in The Tribune. On Wednesday, the accused and his brother allegedly took the girl, accompanied by her father and uncle, to a health facility in Kishtwar for an abortion. After a medical exam, she was referred to another facility, where an attempt was made to induce delivery through surgery. The girl delivered a stillborn child during the procedure, and her condition deteriorated, leading to her death late Thursday evening.
The Tribune also reported that the girl had admitted to her parents that she has been sexually assaulted by her teacher for the last few months. Police have arrested the accused, identified as Khalid Ahmed Sheikh, a Grade-II teacher and in-charge headmaster of the government middle school in Bumalpora, Inderwal, along with his brother. The Tribune reported that the accused were booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act at Chatroo police station.
NCST notice and tribal body demand
A tribal advocacy group, the Tribal Gujjar Bakkarwal Welfare Foundation (TGBWF), has approached the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), filings that have triggered a formal response. According to Daily Excelsior, NCST issued a notice to the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and SSP Kishtwar, acting on a petition by the TGBWF, in which the FIR lodged at Chatroo Police Station allegedly omitted relevant sections under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.
NCST has directed authorities to submit a detailed action-taken report within five days, and warned that a failure to respond would result in summons under Article 338A of the Constitution.
The Tribune reported that the TGBWF, in its complaint filed by member trustee Kabir Ahmed, included several demands, including the invocation of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which has not been invoked despite the victim being a Gujjar (a notified Scheduled Tribe) and the accused not belonging to any scheduled community. The foundation also sought an inquiry into allegations that threats, monetary inducement, and a community-level panchayat were used to suppress the matter after the pregnancy came to light.
Additionally, the TGBWF is seeking an investigation into the role of medical practitioners and others connected with the alleged termination of pregnancy, preservation of evidence (including electronic, financial and medical records), an examination into under-reporting under POCSO, protections for the family and witnesses, statutory compensation, and the pleading of action taken report from the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police.
Protests and community reaction
A complete bandh was observed in the Chatroo area on Friday, and protests spread to several parts of Kishtwar after the Friday prayers, as per The Tribune. Protests continued for the third consecutive day on Saturday in different parts of Jammu region, including Jammu, Kishtwar and Doda districts, with demonstrators demanding an impartial inquiry, exemplary punishment for the accused, accountability, and preventive steps. The girl's body and that of her stillborn child were taken to her village, which The Tribune said triggered the protests.