Jammu Tawi, Oct 17: The Jammu and Kashmir Crime Branch has filed an over 1,000-page chargesheet against 15 accused in the Kishtwar minor sexual exploitation and death case within 60 days of taking over the investigation, citing 143 witnesses.
A spokesperson said the Special Investigation Team (SIT) filed the chargesheet within the stipulated period. The case was initially registered as FIR No. 34/2026 at Police Station Chatroo following the minor’s death on August 20, 2026, before being transferred to the Special Crime Wing, Jammu, and re-registered as FIR No. 27/2026.
The investigation covered allegations of sexual exploitation, an attempted termination of the minor’s 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.
The chargesheet invokes relevant 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.
It was presented before the Court of the Munsiff Judge, Kishtwar, who is holding charge as the Principal District and Sessions Judge in the absence of the regular presiding officer.
The SIT was constituted by IGP Crime Sarah Rizvi and headed by Sanjay Kumar Parihar, SSP, Special Crime Wing, Jammu. The spokesperson said supplementary chargesheet proceedings may follow if further evidence emerges, in accordance with law.