Kishtwar teen's death after alleged forced abortion: Teacher, brother held
A 14-year-old schoolgirl from Chatroo tehsil in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district died late Thursday after an alleged forced abortion attempt, police said on Friday. The incident has triggered widespread protests in the area, with authorities arresting a schoolteacher and his brother on charges including sexual assault.
Police identified the teacher as Khalid Hussain, who was posted at a government middle school in Bamalpora village. He was suspended after his arrest under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and other relevant sections. Tariq, his brother, was taken into custody for allegedly assisting in the illegal abortion attempt.
According to a senior police officer, Hussain had allegedly developed a physical relationship with the girl, who was a student at his school. The post-mortem examination confirmed that she was approximately five months pregnant, and also indicated a forced abortion attempt.
The sequence of events, as described by the police, began when Hussain and his brother allegedly tried to terminate the pregnancy using medicines in Chatroo. When the girl's condition deteriorated, she was admitted to District Hospital Kishtwar. Her condition necessitated referral to Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu, over 200 kilometres away. However, she died while being taken in an ambulance near Batote in Doda district.
Her body was taken back to Kishtwar for the post-mortem. After completing legal formalities, the remains were handed over to her family. Police said investigations are ongoing to determine whether other individuals were involved.
"Under the scanner are the girl's relatives, possible medical professionals, and the pharmacy owner who supplied the abortion medicines without following proper procedures," the police officer said.
The death of the teenager has provoked anger across Kishtwar. A market shutdown was observed in Chatroo, and protests were held in several parts of the district. Demonstrators demanded swift and stringent action against all those responsible for the alleged abuse and the girl's death. Members of the BJP's Mahila Morcha also met district officials to press for the "strictest possible action" and justice.
Hours after the protests, the teacher was placed under suspension. The district administration has assured that the investigation will be impartial and comprehensive.
The case is being investigated under the POCSO Act, which provides stringent penalties for sexual offences against minors. The Act also prohibits disclosure of the victim's identity, and authorities have not released the girl's name.
The incident has also drawn attention to the regulations governing medical termination of pregnancy. The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971, permits abortion only under specific conditions, by a registered medical practitioner, at an approved facility. Allegations that abortion-inducing medicines were administered outside such a setting, if proven, would amount to a serious legal violation.
This tragedy underscores the vulnerabilities faced by children in remote and rural areas and highlights the need for stronger child protection mechanisms. Experts say community awareness and vigilance are crucial to preventing such incidents.
Police have appealed for calm, urging people to cooperate with the investigation. Additional evidence, including forensic and medical reports, is being gathered. Further arrests may follow as the inquiry widens.
