J-K Tribal Girl Rape Death Case: Kishtwar Hospital Nurse Arrested, Six Held

A nurse at Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district hospital has been arrested in connection with the alleged rape and death of a 15 year old tribal girl, taking the total number of people arrested in the case to six, police said on Saturday.

The nurse, identified as Sonika, was arrested on Friday after investigators registered a case under relevant provisions of the POCSO Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, according to a police spokesperson.

The minor girl was allegedly sexually assaulted repeatedly by her school teacher over several months, resulting in her pregnancy. She died on August 20 following an alleged attempt to terminate the pregnancy in the Chatroo area, officials said.

The school teacher and his brother were among those arrested earlier. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) formed to probe the case allegedly found that the teacher, in conspiracy with his brother, administered medicines to the girl purportedly to terminate the pregnancy.

Investigators said the girl was initially taken to a public health centre in Chatroo before being shifted to Kishtwar district hospital. Police have alleged that the transfer took place with the connivance of a hospital sweeper, who has also been arrested.

The girl subsequently delivered a stillborn baby and later died, officials said.

During the SIT investigation, Sonika’s alleged role in the termination of the pregnancy emerged, leading to her arrest, police said. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death and the alleged involvement of everyone connected with the case.

Police said the investigation is being conducted in a thorough, scientific, impartial and evidence based manner. Further arrests will be made if supported by evidence, and strict legal action will follow against anyone found involved, the spokesperson said.

Earlier on Thursday, a sanitation worker employed at Kishtwar district hospital was removed from service over his alleged role in the conspiracy to conceal information about the crime.

The case has drawn attention to alleged failures in protecting a vulnerable minor and to the circumstances surrounding the girl’s treatment after the alleged sexual assault. Authorities have not disclosed further details about the medical evidence or the specific allegations against each accused as the investigation remains underway.

Police said the SIT is continuing to establish the full sequence of events that led to the girl’s pregnancy, the alleged attempted termination, the stillbirth and her subsequent death.