The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered an investigation into allegations of a cover-up surrounding the alleged sexual assault and death of a tribal teenager in Kishtwar, amid widespread protests. The Crime Branch has taken over the investigation from the Special Investigation Team currently probing the case, officials told The Indian Express.

At least six people, including a nurse and sweeper at the hospital where the girl was brought for an alleged abortion attempt that proved fatal, have been arrested for complicity in the alleged cover-up. The arrests were made after the girl's family filed a petition alleging that her father became aware of his daughter's pregnancy only a fortnight before she died.

Arrests Made in Alleged Cover-Up

The girl's father alleged that the headmaster and others linked to him — including a local chemist and two teachers — tried to cover up the incident. He submitted a petition stating that 'the role of each of these persons, their communication with the accused, and their knowledge concerning the pregnancy and the circumstances thereafter require investigation'.

The Crime Branch has initiated the process to take over the investigation from the Special Investigation Team. The move comes after widespread protests in Kishtwar district sparked

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Girl's Family Demands Justice

He further alleged that the headmaster and others linked to him — including a local chemist and two teachers — tried to cover it up.

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“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.

Amid allegations of a cover-up, the J&K government has ordered the Crime Branch to investigate the alleged sexual assault and death of a tribal teenager in Kishtwar. The move comes days after allegations of prolonged sexual abuse of the minor and a subsequent abortion attempt that preceded her death sparked protests across the district.

Officials told The Indian Express that the Crime Branch has initiated the process to take over the investigation from the Special Investigation Team currently probing the case. The move comes after at least six people, 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.

The petition said the girl was seven months pregnant at the time of her death. The father said 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.