Kishtwar Minor Pregnancy Death: Teacher Suspended After POCSO FIR

Kishtwar, August 21: A teacher has been placed under suspension following the death of a 14-year-old schoolgirl from Chatroo, Kishtwar, who was reportedly pregnant and died while being referred to Doda for pregnancy termination-related medical treatment.
The development comes after police registered a POCSO case in Kishtwar and arrested Teacher Grade-II Khalid Hussain Sheikh, who is posted at Middle School Bumalpora in Zone Inderwal. The teacher is currently in police custody, according to the suspension order issued by the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Kishtwar.
The minor’s identity has been withheld in accordance with legal and ethical requirements. According to reports, she was being shifted from Kishtwar to Doda for treatment related to termination of pregnancy when she reportedly died during the journey.
Following the incident, FIR No. 34/2026 was registered at Police Station Chatroo under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with Sections 4, 6, 8, 10 and 17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
Police subsequently arrested Sheikh in connection with the case. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the minor’s reported pregnancy, the alleged relationship and her death while being referred for medical treatment.
Teacher Suspended Pending Inquiry
The Chief Education Officer, Kishtwar, issued a suspension order on August 21, placing Sheikh under suspension under Rule 31 of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956.
The order cites the FIR registered at Police Station Chatroo and notes that the teacher is currently in police custody. The suspension will remain in force pending further inquiry into the matter.
The Kishtwar minor death case, involving allegations under the POCSO Act, has triggered a police investigation as authorities examine the circumstances leading to the teenager’s pregnancy, referral to Doda and subsequent death.
Further investigation is underway, and the concerned authorities are examining all aspects of the case. The allegations against the accused remain subject to the ongoing investigation and legal proceedings.