The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on Friday ordered the formation of a special investigation team (SIT) to reinvestigate the rape of an orphan girl in the pilgrimage town of Katra. The court flagged a “slipshod” police probe and noted that scientific evidence had ruled out the arrested accused, Pawan Kumar alias Raja, as the father of the child born to the minor survivor in February 2022.
Case Background
The case stems from a First Information Report (FIR) registered at Katra police station under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) concerning rape and criminal intimidation of a minor. The victim became pregnant and gave birth to a girl child, who later died. During the investigation, DNA samples were preserved from the deceased infant.
Police arrested Pawan Kumar, a resident of Katra, and took his blood samples for DNA profiling. However, the DNA analysis of the deceased infant cleared him of the offense, raising serious questions about the investigation's integrity.
Court Observations
The court expressed surprise that despite the DNA evidence, the investigating officer failed to pursue the alleged role of another suspect, Balak Ram, whose name had surfaced in a separate complaint lodged at a police station in Udhampur district, approximately 95 kilometers northeast of Jammu.
Justice Rajnesh Oswal directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) for Jammu to form an SIT within seven days to identify the “real offender” responsible for the sexual exploitation of the girl. The court refused to quash the FIR and ordered the IGP to file a compliance report by June 29.
Next Steps
The SIT will conduct a fresh investigation, including re-examining evidence and questioning all relevant individuals. The court has emphasized the need for a thorough and unbiased probe to ensure justice for the victim.
