Srinagar, Oct 17 (KNO): The Crime Branch Jammu and Kashmir has filed a chargesheet against 15 accused within 60 days of taking over the investigation into the Kishtwar minor sexual exploitation and death case. The over 1,000-page chargesheet cites 143 witnesses.
In a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Crime Branch had filed the chargesheet within the stipulated period.
He said the case was initially 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 Special Crime Wing, Jammu, and re-registered as FIR No. 27/2026.
The spokesperson said the investigation examined allegations relating to the sexual exploitation of the minor, an attempted termination of her advanced pregnancy outside an authorised medical facility, alleged lapses in medical treatment, and efforts to prevent the matter from being reported to law-enforcement authorities.
He said the chargesheet invokes 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.
The spokesperson said the chargesheet was presented before the Court of the Munsiff Judge, Kishtwar, who is holding charge as the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Kishtwar, as the regular presiding officer is on leave.
He said the SIT was constituted by Inspector General of Police (IGP), Crime, Jammu and Kashmir, Sarah Rizvi, and headed by Sanjay Kumar Parihar, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Special Crime Wing, Jammu.
The team examined the evidence and conducted the investigation through coordinated efforts, culminating in the filing of the chargesheet within the stipulated period. Further investigative action, including the filing of a supplementary chargesheet, may be undertaken if additional evidence emerges, in accordance with law—(KNO)