Police on Sunday said the death of a 12-year-old girl in the Galwanpora area of central Kashmir’s Budgam district appears to be a prima facie case of rape and murder, adding that all available investigative resources have been deployed to ensure an early breakthrough in the case.
Addressing a press conference, the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Budgam said authorities received information about the minor girl’s disappearance at around 10 pm on May 23. He said an FIR under relevant sections related to the kidnapping of a minor was registered immediately after the complaint, following which police launched extensive overnight search operations in the area.
The officer said the body of the 12-year-old girl was recovered at around 7:15 am on Sunday from an area located nearly 200 metres away from her residence, following which medico-legal procedures were conducted.
“At this stage, prima facie, the incident appears to be a case of rape and murder, and all relevant sections of law have accordingly been added to the case,” the SSP said.
“Several local suspects are being questioned, while evidence collection, seizure, and verification procedures are being carried out simultaneously as part of the ongoing investigation,” the officer said.
He added that the investigation remains at a preliminary stage, with police teams conducting extensive searches in and around the area where the body was recovered. Tracker dogs have been deployed within a one-kilometre radius of the site, while investigators are also scanning CCTV footage from nearby locations for possible leads.
Senior police officials also visited the area during the day and reviewed the progress of the investigation. Officials said investigators were working on multiple leads and expressed hope of solving the case soon. They further appealed to residents to cooperate with authorities during the course of the probe.
Appealing for public cooperation, the SSP urged people not to circulate rumours, misinformation, or unverified content related to the case on social media platforms.
“This case remains the top priority of Budgam Police, and all available manpower and investigative expertise have been dedicated to ensuring a swift breakthrough,” he said.
Budgam MLA Agha Muntazir condemned the killing and demanded strict action against those responsible. He urged the administration to identify and arrest the accused without delay and stressed the need for collective efforts to uphold social and moral responsibility in order to prevent such incidents.
Budgam Police issued an advisory urging the public and media organisations not to share the identity, photographs, or any personal details of the minor victim on social media platforms, warning that any violation of legal protections related to the child’s identity would invite strict legal action.
