Minor girl’s death prima facie case of rape, murder: SSP Budgam

Budgam, May 24: Police on Sunday said the death of a 12-year-old girl from Galwanpora in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district is prima facie a case of rape and murder, assuring that all resources are being deployed to crack the case at the earliest.

Addressing a news conference here, SSP Budgam Hariprasad K K, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that Budgam Police Station received information regarding the missing of the minor girl at around 10:00 PM on May 23.

He said that  police registered an FIR under relevant sections pertaining to the kidnapping of a minor child and launched extensive searches throughout the night.

“This morning at around 7:15 AM, the girl’s body was recovered from a spot nearly 200 metres away from her home,” SSP Budgam said, adding that all medico-legal formalities were subsequently completed.

“At this stage, prima facie, it appears to be a case of rape and murder, and all relevant sections of law have been added,” he said.

The SSP said that investigation is presently in its preliminary stage and police are carrying out extensive searches in and around the area where the body was found.

He said tracker dogs have been deployed within nearly a one-kilometre radius of the recovery spot, while CCTV footage from nearby areas is also being examined.

“Local suspects are being questioned and evidence seizure and verification processes are going on continuously and simultaneously,” he added.

Appealing for public cooperation, the SSP urged people not to circulate misinformation or unverified content regarding the incident.

“This case is the top priority of Budgam Police and all available manpower and investigative expertise are dedicated to solving it,” he said.

He also appealed to people and media organisations not to share the identity, photographs or personal details of the minor victim on social media or in news reports.