A 12-year-old girl has been allegedly raped and murdered in Indian-administered Kashmir, sparking widespread outrage and protests across the Himalayan region. The incident has prompted urgent calls for swift justice and improved safety measures.
Discovery of the body
The minor was reported missing on Saturday evening after she failed to return home from a religious school in the village of Galwanpora, located in the Budgam district. Her body was discovered the following morning, approximately 200 metres from her residence. Police have registered a case of rape and murder.
Senior Superintendent of Police for Budgam, Hariprasad K K, stated at a press conference: "At around 7.15am, the body of the victim was recovered. The medico-legal formalities have been finalised. Prima facie it appears to be a case of rape and murder. We'll try to crack the case and the culprits will be arrested soon."
Investigation underway
The investigation remains in its early stages, with multiple teams working to gather evidence and pursue leads. Tracker dogs have been deployed around the site, and CCTV footage from nearby areas is being examined. Police have appealed to the public and media not to disclose the victim's identity or show her pictures, in line with Indian law that prohibits identification of victims of sexual crimes, even posthumously. They also warned against spreading rumours or unverified details on social media.
Protests and political reaction
The incident, which occurred about 10 kilometres from the regional capital Srinagar, triggered street protests in the area. Women and children, in particular, came out in large numbers to demand swift justice and enhanced safety. Political leaders and civil society groups also called for the rapid arrest of those responsible.
Omar Abdullah, the chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, described the incident as "deeply distressing" and pledged government support for law enforcement agencies to ensure punishment for the guilty. In a statement on X, he said: "The tragic murder of a young preteen girl in Budgam district of central Kashmir is both shocking and deeply distressing. While the appropriate agencies inquire into the circumstances of her murder, it is also fitting that we reflect on where we as a society are headed when our young children are not safe. I condemn this brutal attack without reservation or condition and send my sympathies to her family."
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a prominent cleric and senior figure within the separatist movement in Kashmir, expressed deep sorrow, stating that the "circumstances surrounding this incident are extremely painful and have shaken the conscience of every human being." He added: "What are we becoming as a society if our children cannot even feel safe on their way to seek education and guidance? Such incidents spread fear, grief and deep anxiety among people and demand serious introspection at every level."
Crime statistics
According to the latest data from the National Crime Records Bureau, Jammu and Kashmir reported 887 cases of crimes against children in 2024, including 308 registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. The region also recorded 3,366 cases of crimes against women during the same period. Despite these figures, the federally-administered territory's crime rate remains below the national average.
