Mehbooba Mufti seeks crime branch probe into Kishtwar rape-death case

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti has called on Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to transfer the Kishtwar rape-death case to the crime branch for a fair and time-bound investigation.

In a post on X on Saturday, the former Chief Minister described the incident as more than a routine case of crime against women, calling it "a deep, festering wound on the conscience of our society."

Mufti noted that ten days had passed since the crime came to light, and the lack of visible progress was deepening the grief of the victim's family while eroding public confidence in the justice system. She warned that without decisive action and exemplary punishment for the perpetrators, such offences would continue with impunity.

The case involves a 15-year-old tribal girl from the Chatroo area of Kishtwar district who was allegedly sexually assaulted repeatedly by her school teacher over several months, leading to her pregnancy. She died on August 20 following an alleged attempt to terminate the pregnancy.

Mufti's appeal comes amid growing public concern over the handling of the case and demands for a swift and transparent judicial process.