Body found 200 metres from house; SIT constituted: Police
‘Shocking, devastating’: Mehbooba, Mirwaiz condemn
Sakeena Itoo visits family, demands exemplary punishment
Srinagar: A 12-year-old girl, who was reported missing from Budgam district on Saturday evening, was found murdered around 200 metres from her house on Sunday morning, with police stating that prima facie it appears to be a case of rape and murder.
SSP Budgam Hariprasad K K said a case of kidnapping a minor child was registered and searches were carried out. “Unfortunately, the body of the child was found today morning,” he said, adding that the body was sent for post-mortem examination.
“Prima facie it seems to be a case of rape and murder. We have added the relevant sections of the law to the FIR,” he said.
Police said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted under the supervision of DySP Headquarters Budgam, Sajad Ahmad, to examine all possible angles. The investigation shall be carried out in a fair, transparent and professional manner, police added.
Police have requested the public and media not to reveal the identity or photograph of the minor, as disclosure of such particulars is prohibited under law. They also appealed against circulating unverified information or indulging in speculation.
Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo visited the bereaved family in Budgam to express solidarity and condolences following the tragic incident that has shaken the area.
Interacting with the family members, the minister conveyed deep sorrow over the unfortunate incident and assured them that the Government stands firmly with them during this difficult time.
Itoo strongly condemned the incident and termed it highly unfortunate and unacceptable in a civilized society. She called for time-bound investigation into this incident and said that those involved in the act must be dealt strictly in accordance with the law and called for exemplary punishment to the culprits.
MLA Pampore, Justice (Retd) Hasnain Masoodi; MLA Zainapora, Showkat Hussain Ganie; Aga Syed Mehmood and others also accompanied the Minister.
PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said the alleged rape and murder of a 12-year-girl in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district was shocking, disconcerting and unsettling.
“Devastated to hear about the cold blooded murder of a 12-year-girl in Budgam. The allegations of rape just make it all the more shocking, disconcerting & unsettling. One shudders at the thought if our children are really safe,” the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir said in a post on X.
Chief preacher of Kashmir Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said he was “heartbroken and deeply disturbed” by the incident.
“The circumstances surrounding this incident are extremely painful and have shaken the conscience of every human being,” he said.
The Mirwaiz said such incidents spread fear, grief, and deep anxiety among people and demand serious introspection at every level.
“What are we becoming as a society if our children cannot even feel safe on their way to seek education and guidance?” he asked.
The Mirwaiz demanded a thorough, transparent, and time-bound investigation and that those responsible for this heinous act be brought to justice and given the strictest punishment under law.
Police statement
A minor girl, aged about 12 years, was found dead in Budgam district on Sunday, with police registering an FIR and constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the circumstances surrounding the incident, officials said.
According to a police statement, information was received at Police Station Budgam on May 23 at about 10:00 PM regarding the disappearance of the minor girl, who had reportedly gone missing from her residence during the evening hours.
Acting promptly on the complaint, Police Station Budgam registered FIR No. 139/2026 under relevant provisions of law and immediately launched an extensive search operation. During the early morning hours on Sunday, the dead body of the minor girl was recovered at a short distance from her residence. Subsequently, all necessary medico-legal and investigative formalities were initiated.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted under the supervision of Shri Sajad Ahmad (JKPS), DySP Headquarters Budgam. The investigation team is examining all possible angles to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident and assures that the investigation shall be carried out in a fair, transparent, and professional manner.
All media personnel and members of the public, particularly social media users, have been requested to refrain from revealing the identity or photograph of the minor, as disclosure of such particulars is prohibited under law.
The general public has been further requested not to circulate unverified information or indulge in speculation regarding the matter, as such actions may hamper the investigation and cause unnecessary distress.