JAMMU, Aug 24: The Tribal Gujjar Bakkerwal Welfare Foundation (TGBWF) has approached the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST), seeking action against the accused under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in connection with FIR No. 34/2026 registered at Police Station Chatroo, Kishtwar.
The Foundation has also sought compensation for the deceased minor girl’s family and urged the Commission to closely monitor the investigation through periodic progress reports until its lawful conclusion.
In a complaint submitted through its member trustee Kabir Ahmed, TGBWF requested the NCST to obtain an Action Taken Report from the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and other concerned authorities. The report, it said, should clarify the steps taken regarding the investigation, invocation of the SC/ST Act, protection of the family and witnesses, compensation and rehabilitation.
According to the complaint, the deceased, reportedly a Class V student belonging to the Gujjar Scheduled Tribe community, was allegedly subjected to repeated sexual assault. The FIR has named Khalid Hussain, stated to be her teacher and headmaster at a government school, along with his brother Tariq Hussain, under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
TGBWF has raised concern over the alleged non-invocation of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act despite the child’s Scheduled Tribe status. The Foundation has urged the authorities to examine the applicability of the special law and take appropriate action in accordance with law.
The complaint further alleged that after the pregnancy came to light, attempts were reportedly made to suppress or settle the matter through threats, monetary inducement and a community-level Panchayat. TGBWF has sought an independent examination of the alleged role of all persons involved, including medical practitioners and other intermediaries connected with the reported pregnancy-termination episode.
The Foundation has also called for preservation and examination of relevant evidence, including electronic communications, call records, financial transactions, school documents, medical and diagnostic records, prescriptions, pharmacy records and medicines. It has urged authorities to examine whether any person who had prior knowledge of the alleged offences failed to discharge mandatory reporting obligations under the POCSO Act.
Seeking protection for the bereaved family, TGBWF said the parents, siblings and material witnesses should be provided an immediate threat assessment and appropriate security measures. It sought safeguards against intimidation, coercion, inducement and retaliation, along with safe accommodation and secure transportation wherever necessary.
The Foundation has also demanded immediate payment of statutory compensation and rehabilitation benefits admissible under the Prevention of Atrocities Act and other applicable laws.
TGBWF stressed that the allegations should be investigated impartially and that guilt must ultimately be established through due process of law. It also appealed to authorities, media organisations and the public to safeguard the identity and dignity of the deceased minor and her family and avoid sensationalism during the legal proceedings.