Examiner News Desk | Srinagar:
Police on Sunday said the death of a 12-year-old girl from Galwanpora in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district appears, prima facie, to be a case of rape and murder, while assuring that all resources are being utilised to crack the case at the earliest.
Addressing a press conference, SSP Budgam Hariprasad K K, said Budgam Police Station received information about the disappearance of the minor girl at around 10:00 PM on May 23.
He said police immediately registered an FIR under relevant sections pertaining to the kidnapping of a minor and launched extensive search operations throughout the night.
“This morning at around 7:15 AM, the girl’s body was recovered from a location nearly 200 metres away from her residence,” the SSP 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 the investigation is currently in its preliminary stage and police teams are conducting extensive searches in and around the area where the body was recovered.
He said tracker dogs have been deployed within a nearly one-kilometre radius of the recovery site, while CCTV footage from nearby areas is also being examined.
“Local suspects are being questioned, and evidence seizure and verification processes are continuing simultaneously,” he added.
Appealing for public cooperation, the SSP urged people not to circulate misinformation or unverified content related to the incident.
“This case is the top priority of Budgam Police, and all available manpower and investigative expertise are being dedicated to solving it,” he said.
He also appealed to the public and media organisations not to share the identity, photographs or personal details of the minor victim on social media platforms or in news reports.
