Kishtwar girl’s rape-death probe handed to Crime Branch amid cover-up allegations

Kishtwar girl's rape-death probe handed to Crime Branch against the backdrop of cover-up allegations The move comes days after allegations of prolonged sexual abuse of the minor and a subsequent abortion attempt that preceded her death sparked protests throughout the district.

Key points

• Authorities informed The Indian Express that the Crime Branch has initiated the process to take over the investigation from the Special Investigation Team at present probing the case.
• The handover comes against the backdrop of a writ petition filed by the girl's father in the Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh High Court.
• Death of rape victim during abortion bid: Kishtwar hospital staff among 3 held.
• Protests in Kishtwar as minor girl dies during abortion, headmaster who raped her arrested.
• The others arrested are the accused headmaster and three of his relatives.

In practice, the handover comes against the backdrop of a writ petition filed by the girl's father in the Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh High Court. It alleges a cover-up. (File).

Against the backdrop of allegations of a cover-up, the J&K administration has ordered the Crime Branch to investigate the alleged sexual assault and death of a tribal teenager in Kishtwar.

Authorities informed The Indian Express that the Crime Branch has initiated the process to take over the investigation from the Special Investigation Team at present probing the case. The move comes after at least six individuals, including a nurse and a sweeper at the Kishtwar district hospital, were arrested for alleged complicity after the girl was brought there for an alleged abortion attempt that proved fatal.

For context, the others arrested are the accused headmaster and three of his relatives.

For context, the petition remarked the girl was seven months pregnant at the time of her death.

In practice, the father remarked he became aware of his daughter's pregnancy only after she was taken to a health centre a fortnight before her death. He further alleged that the headmaster and others linked to him – including a local chemist and two teachers – tried to cover it up.

"The role of each of these persons, their communication with the accused, and their knowledge concerning the pregnancy and the circumstances thereafter require investigation, " he submitted. © The Indian Express Pvt Ltd.

For now, kishtwar girl's rape-death probe handed to Crime Branch amid cover remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.