Book Accused Under SC/ST Act, Compensate Chatroo Tribal Child's Family: TGBWF Urges NCST
📍 Jammu | 📅 24 August 2026 | FIR No. 34/2026, P/S Chatroo, District Kishtwar
In accordance with the POCSO Act and the appeal of the TGBWF, the identity, name, and image of the deceased child have not been published. MyKishtwar.com appeals to all readers, media organisations, and the public to protect the deceased child's identity, dignity, and family from sensationalism, pressure, or retaliation during the entire legal process.
TGBWF Approaches National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
The Tribal Gujjar Bakkerwal Welfare Foundation (TGBWF) has approached the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) demanding action against the accused under the SC/ST Act, payment of compensation to the family, and monitoring of the investigation into FIR No. 34/2026, registered at Police Station Chatroo, District Kishtwar, over the alleged repeated sexual assault, pregnancy, and consequent death of a minor Gujjar Scheduled Tribe girl.
In a detailed complaint filed through its member trustee Kabir Ahmed, TGBWF has urged the Commission to take cognizance of the matter as an urgent atrocity-related complaint and monitor the investigation through periodic progress reports until it reaches its lawful conclusion.
Action Taken Report Sought from J&K Chief Secretary & DGP
The Foundation has asked the Commission to obtain a comprehensive Action Taken Report (ATR) from the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary, Director General of Police, and other authorities, explaining the non-invocation of the SC/ST Act and measures taken for investigation, family protection, compensation, and rehabilitation.
Facts of the Case as Stated in the Complaint
TGBWF Urges NCST Action in Tribal Child Case
The complaint stated that the deceased child, reportedly a Class V student, was allegedly subjected to repeated sexual assault by Khalid Hussain, stated to be her teacher and Headmaster at a government school. The FIR names Khalid Hussain and his brother, Tariq Hussain, under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
However, despite the child's notified Scheduled Tribe status, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act has not been invoked.
TGBWF stated that although the deceased belonged to the notified Gujjar Scheduled Tribe and the accused persons are reportedly not members of any Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, the special law enacted to prevent atrocities against tribal communities does not presently figure in the FIR. The Foundation has requested the NCST to direct police authorities to immediately invoke the SC/ST Act against the accused.
TGBWF Urges NCST Action in Tribal Child Case: Key Demands Made by TGBWF
- Immediate invocation of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against the accused
- Comprehensive ATR from J&K Chief Secretary and DGP explaining non-invocation of the Act
- Independent investigation into every participant in the alleged suppression through threats, monetary inducement, and community-level Panchayat
- Independent probe into the role of medical practitioners or other intermediaries connected with the pregnancy-termination episode
- Immediate preservation of circulating videos, electronic communications, call records, financial transactions, school records, medical records, prescriptions, pharmacy records, and medicines
- Examination of whether any school official, medical practitioner, Panchayat participant or other person possessing prior knowledge failed to report the alleged offences under mandatory POCSO reporting duties
- Immediate threat assessment and effective protection for parents, siblings, and material witnesses — including safe accommodation, secure transportation, confidentiality, and safeguards against intimidation, coercion, inducement, or retaliation
- Immediate payment of statutory compensation and rehabilitation benefits under the Prevention of Atrocities Act and every additional amount admissible under any other applicable law
TGBWF's Appeal to Authorities, Media, and Public
TGBWF reiterated that the allegations must be investigated impartially and proved in accordance with law. It appealed to the authorities, media organisations, and the public to protect the deceased child's identity, dignity, and family from sensationalism, pressure, or retaliation during the entire legal process.