Overview

• An FIR was registered on August 18 in the Pangi case under BNS Section 65(1), POCSO Sections 4 and 17, and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act Sections 9 and 11.
• Police arrested two accused after contacting the survivor in Kishtwar, and DNA profiling of the newborn is under way to confirm paternity.
• Bharmaur MLA Janak Raj alleged official inaction and a cover-up, claiming the orphan was sent to Jammu and married off after giving birth, as the chief minister promised stern action.
• In a separate case, 22-year-old Kapil from Hamirpur died in Howrah on August 9; his family lodged an FIR alleging murder while West Bengal police recorded a drowning.
• Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said he directed DGP Ashok Tewari to act, with an application forwarded to the Howrah Police Commissioner and a letter sent to West Bengal police on August 19.