Overview
- A tribal schoolgirl who was allegedly raped over months by her teacher became pregnant and died on August 20 after an attempted termination, according to police and multiple reports.
- Police registered FIR No. 34/2026 under the POCSO Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and later added SC/ST Act provisions after notice from the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.
- A Special Investigation Team had already arrested six people, including the accused teacher Khalid Hussain Sheikh and a staff nurse named Sonika, and authorities say further arrests and a chargesheet are possible.
- The Jammu and Kashmir Police have formally handed the case to the Crime Branch, which confirmed it is in the process of taking over the investigation.
- Political leaders and tribal welfare groups are demanding NCST monitoring, a fast-track court, compensation for the family and school safety audits, measures that could speed prosecution and shape local institutional reforms.