A 15-year-old girl from the Kunki village of Kishtwar district died after a failed abortion attempt at the local hospital. The incident has led to widespread protests across the district, with residents demanding justice for the victim and her family.

The teenager had complained of stomach pain and was allegedly taken to a local health centre, which confirmed her pregnancy. She was eventually taken to local medical facilities, where a fatal abortion attempt allegedly weakened her. Labour was allegedly induced, leading to a stillbirth.

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Background of the Incident

The headmaster and his brother have been arrested in connection with the case. A Special Investigation Team is conducting an investigation into all aspects of the case. The SSP has assured that the investigation will be thorough, scientific and time-bound.

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) delivered notices to the J&K Chief Secretary, Director General of Law enforcement personnel and Kishtwar SSP, asking them to submit a report within five days. The commission has also requested authorities to verify the status of the girl and the headmaster, provide protection to the family, consider compensation for them and preserve evidence.

The incident led to widespread protests across Kishtwar, with residents demanding justice for the victim and her family. The education department has initiated an inquiry and suspended the headmaster. The police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and sections of criminal conspiracy, rape of a minor, and death caused.

Arrests and Investigation

The investigation into the Kishtwar abortion case is ongoing, with five arrests made so far. The authorities are working to ensure justice for the victim and her family, while also addressing the concerns of the public.

Three more people — including an employee of the state-run district medical facility in Kishtwar — have been arrested A sweeper at the medical facility where she was taken for an abortion and two relatives of the headmaster have been arrested, taking the total number of arrests to five. Kishtwar SSP Naresh Singh stated a Special Inquiry Team is conducting a “thorough, scientific and time-bound inquiry into all aspects of the case”.

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This comes days after the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes sent a notice to district authorities over the matter. According to law enforcement personnel, the teenager had allegedly been abused Her death led to protests across the district.

The case emerged after the girl complained of stomach pain and was allegedly taken to a local health centre, which confirmed her pregnancy. She was eventually taken to local medical facilities, where a fatal abortion attempt allegedly weakened her. Labour was allegedly induced, leading to a stillbirth.

The alleged sexual assault case led to protests across Kishtwar. Law enforcement personnel allege that the headmaster and his brother took her to the district medical facility in Kishtwar and, with the help of the sweeper, got an ultrasound done and made her take abortion medication.

“The SIT is investigating all aspects of the case,” he stated, adding that further arrests, wherever warranted Although the girl passed away on August 20, no formal complaint was filed, with law enforcement personnel eventually initiating inquest proceedings. Law enforcement personnel later filed a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and sections of criminal conspiracy, rape of a minor, and death caused The headmaster and his brother — both of whom are stated to have accompanied the teenager for the failed abortion attempt — have been arrested.

The education department has initiated an inquiry and suspended the headmaster. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) delivered notices to the J&K Chief Secretary, Director General of Law enforcement personnel and Kishtwar SSP, asking them to submit a report within five days.

In its notice, the commission stated law enforcement personnel had failed to invoke the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act even though the teenager was a tribal. The commission has also requested authorities to verify the status of the girl and the headmaster, provide protection to the family, consider compensation for them and preserve evidence.

On Wednesday, SSP Singh stated the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act has also been invoked in the case.