The Kashmir Pulse

You are born out of me. Why do you want to kill me? I am your mother, sister, wife, daughter. Why you are not safeguarding me? I want to dress up as I like to. Why it is bothering you?

I too want to go on an evening walk. Why I need to be home-bound? Dude! I do have to attend my patient during night duty. Why are you not allowing me to save the life?

I am so decently dressed, what makes you harm me? I have left my home to serve you. Why are you not understanding this? I am gone now but you might be the next target. Why are you silent……???

SRINAGAR — A fast-track court in Srinagar on Wednesday handed down an eight-year rigorous imprisonment term and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on a resident of Bihar in connection with the kidnapping and rape of a 15-year-old girl in Habba Kadal area of Srinagar back in 2016.

Renu Dogra Gupta, 2nd Additional Sessions Judge overseeing cases of sexual assault, pronounced the sentence for the convict, Santosh Kumar Paswan, son of Saider Paswan, hailing from Lalpora Bhim Nagar in Bihar. The judgment was delivered four days after Paswan's conviction.

The court found Paswan guilty under Section 363 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) pertaining to kidnapping. It ruled that both sentences would run concurrently and ordered that the time already served by Paswan would be deducted from the total sentence.

Prosecution in the case was represented by APP Farooq Ahmad Malik.

Paswan was charged by the police for the abduction and sexual assault of the minor girl (identity withheld) in 2016.

According to the prosecution, on September 1, 2016, the girl's father filed a complaint at Kralkhud Police Station, alleging that Paswan, who was working as a mason at their house, had frequently visited their residence.

The complainant stated that his daughter had gone missing from their home and suspected that she had been lured away. During the subsequent search, the girl and the kidnapper were intercepted while riding a motorcycle near Humhama, heading suspiciously towards the airport, the prosecution detailed.

Following their apprehension, the police seized the motorcycle and air tickets from Srinagar to Delhi belonging to the accused and the victim, the prosecution added.

Medical examination of the victim revealed the presence of a fetus approximately 10 weeks and 6 days old, indicating pregnancy.

The prosecution further revealed that the accused had exploited the minor's vulnerability and immaturity by establishing illegal relations with her after frequent visits to her home.

SRINAGAR — A fast-track court in Srinagar has found a resident of Bihar guilty of kidnapping and raping a 15-year-old girl in the Habba Kadal area of Srinagar nearly eight years ago.

Renu Dogra Gupta, the 2nd Additional Sessions Judge presiding over rape cases in the fast-track court, delivered the verdict on Saturday. The court ruled that the prosecution had convincingly established its case with substantial evidence, leaving no room for doubt regarding the guilt of the accused.

The convicted individual, identified as Santosh Kumar Paswan, son of Saider Paswan and resident of Lalpora Bhim Nagar, Bihar, was found guilty of offenses punishable under Sections 363 and 376 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC). The court's judgment stated that Paswan is liable to be convicted for these offenses.

The quantum of punishment for Paswan is expected to be announced by the court next week.

The case against Paswan was filed by the police following allegations of kidnapping and rape of the minor girl, whose identity has been withheld, in 2016.

According to the prosecution, the girl's father filed a complaint with the Kralkhud Police Station on September 1, 2016, stating that Santosh Kumar Paswan, who had been working as a mason at their residence, had frequently visited their house. The complainant reported that his daughter had gone missing, leading him to suspect that she had been lured away.

During the search operation, the girl and the kidnapper were intercepted while riding a motorcycle near Humhama, heading towards the airport in suspicious circumstances. They were subsequently apprehended and brought to the Police post at Humhama, where the accused's motorcycle and air tickets from Srinagar to Delhi were seized.

Medical examination of the victim revealed the presence of a fetus of approximately 10 weeks and 6 days in her womb, indicating sexual assault.

The prosecution asserted that Paswan took advantage of the girl's minority and immaturity, establishing illegal relations with her during his visits to her home.

SRINAGAR — A court here on Wednesday awarded 10 years of rigorous imprisonment to a 42-year-old man convicted of raping a minor girl here in 2012.

The Court of 2nd Additional Sessions Judge Srinagar, Renu Dogra Gupta, also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 to the convict, Irshad Ahmad Malik of Kokernag Anantnag (presently at Anchar Soura) for the commission of the offence under section 376 RPC.

“In case of default in payment of fine, the accused shall further undergo simple imprisonment for a period of six months,” the court said as per the verdict and ordered him to be lodged in Central Jail Srinagar to serve the sentence. However, the court said, the custody undergone by the convict during the investigation, inquiry and trial of the case, shall be set off against the sentence of imprisonment.

According to the prosecution, police received a complaint from the father of the victim that he took his daughter for a check-up after she complained of abdominal pain and upon tests by the doctors, she was declared to be having a child in her womb.

The complainant said that upon enquiry by him and his wife, the minor disclosed that the person who resides in their neighborhood as a tenant, Irshad Ahmad Malik, raped her several times.

Subsequently, a case (FIR No. 33/2012) under Section 376 RPC was registered in Police Station Soura and the investigation culminated in the filing of the chargesheet under Section 376 RPC on June 23, 2012. Subsequently, the trial ensued and culminated in the conviction of the accused.

SRINAGAR — A court in Srinagar has convicted a man for raping a 14-year-old girl in Soura area of Srinagar in 2012 and termed it a “crime against society”.

According to the prosecution, police received a complaint from the father of the victim that he took his daughter for a check-up after she complained of abdominal pain and upon tests by the doctors, she was declared to be having a child in her womb.

The complainant said that upon inquiry by him and his wife, the minor disclosed that the person who resides in their neighborhood as a tenant, namely Irshad Ahmad Malik of Kokernag, raped her several times.

Subsequently, a case (FIR No. 33/2012) under Section 376 RPC was registered in Police Station Soura and the investigation culminated in the filing of the chargesheet under Section 376 RPC on June 23, 2012. Subsequently, the trial ensued and culminated in the conviction of the accused, Irshad Ahmad of Malik of Ahlan Gadwak Kokernag, presently at Anchar Soura.

“It is established that the accused at the time of committing the heinous crime of rape with a minor girl who was studying in 4th class, was a major married person living with his wife in a rented room in the neighborhood of the victim who used to go there for playing with the younger brother of the accused who was also putting up with them there,” presiding officer of 2nd Additional Session Judge Srinagar, Renu Dogra Gupta said after hearing the counsel for accused and additional Public Prosecutor Farooq Ahmad Malik.

“The accused had gagged her mouth and committed the heinous and barbaric crime of rape with her there and also threatened her not to disclose the same to anyone,” the court said and convicted him for the offence under 376 RPC (rape).

The accused being a major and married person, the court said, was fully aware of the consequences of his “barbaric act”. The crime of this nature against the child girl, the court said, is definitely a crime against society.

“This court is of the considered opinion that the prosecution has successfully proved the guilt of the accused beyond any reasonable doubt. Therefore, the accused is liable to be convicted for the offence punishable under Sections 376 of RPC,” the court said and convicted him, as per the verdict.

Subsequently, the court ordered him to be taken to judicial custody in Central Jail Srinagar and ordered the listing of the case for the quantum of punishment on Wednesday.

LEH — People from all walks of life held a protest rally in Leh Division of Ladakh, demanding fast-track justice for a minor rape victim. The rally was attended by political leaders, civil society, school children, government employees and traders.

As per the reports from the news agency KNT, all shops and business establishments remained shut in Leh against the gruesome incident that rocked Ladakh two weeks ago.

Notably, a 52-year-old man Sayyad Zulfikar Ali Shah is under police custody on rape charges. A 12-year-old schoolgirl was raped by the culprit on March 29 while giving her a lift in his vehicle when the girl was on her way to school.

Thousands of people participated in the protest rally. Amid sloganeering, the protesters demanded stern punishment for the accused. They said there should be an investigation on a fast-track basis and the accused should be punished under the law without wasting time.

SRINAGAR — A rape accused was arrested in Srinagar district’s Hyderpora area, police said on Monday.

“Police Station Sadder received a complaint from a lady that her minor daughter has been raped by one accused namely Shahid Ahmad of Galwanpora Hyderpora,” police said in a statement issued to the news agency GNS.

“To this effect, a case FIR No. 103/22 under sections 3/4 of POCSO Act and 363, 376, 506 of IPC was registered in Saddar Police Station and an investigation was set into motion,” it said, adding, “After hectic efforts and multiples raids, the accused was arrested within one hour by a special team led by SHO Saddar, Inspector Mudassir Nazar under the supervision of SP south Lakshya Sharma IPS.”

Police said further investigation into the case was underway. “Accused will be produced in court for further police remand tomorrow,” it added.

SRINAGAR — Shazia, (not her real name) a dark-haired, 10-year-old sits quietly in a wooden chair. Her pale face gives way to a coy smile as the psychologist asks her name. With a slight shudder in her voice, a counsellor here tries to access her mind. Shazia is asked to colour drawings on a sketchbook placed before her. Her hand trembles as she holds a black crayon between her slender fingers.

Shazia from north Kashmir’s Kupwara has suffered sexual abuse from one of her elder cousins. Her parents passed away years ago and were staying with their uncle. Her sisters as per the counsellor had disclosed the tale of abuse to their aunt, who took little cognisance and advised them to be quiet about their ill fate.

No relief in sight, they sought shelter at their other relative’s place. “Our aunt was aware of the abuse all the while. Instead of taking any action against her son, she put the blame on us. She taunted us continuously that we will bring disrepute to the family. We had no option but to flee this home,” one of her sisters told the news agency KINS.

“She is too young to understand the torture she has endured. The emotional and psychological trauma inflicted on her can last lifelong,” the counsellor said.

Maryam (name changed), 15, usually a lively person by nature, loved to talk and laugh with her friends. Of late, she has, however, undergone a sudden transformation, she hardly interacts with anyone, confines herself to her room and has stopped attending classes at the coaching centre.

Her cousin noticed the change and decided to investigate. What she found was shocking. “I tried to initiate a conversation with her but to no avail. After a week, she came up to me with tearful eyes, and revealed how her teacher tried to assault her,” the cousin said.

The teacher at her coaching centre had made frequent attempts to touch her private parts. He made obscene gestures while teaching, and would often grin slyly at her. For a few days, she skipped classes and preferred to stay home. On parental insistence, she resumed her classes. The teacher continued to harass her.

“On inquiring further, I found that other girl students too faced harassment from the same person. But nobody complained, fearing the wrath of the teacher,” said Maryam’s cousin sister.

Sexual abuse, however, is not restricted to only the female sex, as is often mistakenly thought. A harrowing testimony comes from a 24-year-old science student, Umar Khan (name changed). He was raped at the age of 12 by a gardener.

The epidemic of child sexual abuse continues to haunt the lives of many young boys and girls.

“Getting them to report such incidents is a challenge, as the public and private discourse on CSA (child sexual abuse) is still a strong taboo in our society. Most children, therefore, have no means to vent their trauma, and silently repress it. Incidents of abuse reported, therefore, are quite disproportionate to the extent of the epidemic,” said a senior police official.

SRINAGAR — Srinagar Police on Saturday said it arrested an Anantnag-based self-styled journalist over allegations of rape, blackmailing and extortion of a girl.

In a statement issued to the news agency KNO, a spokesperson said that Srinagar Police yesterday arrested a self-proclaimed journalist Nadeem Ahmed Ganie alias Nadeem Nadu son of Mukhtar Ahmed Ganie of Qazibagh area of Anantnag in a rape case.

The statement reads that on a complaint received from a girl (name withheld) that the accused lured her through his WhatsApp group made for people seeking help and forced her into a sexual relationship with himself after fraudulently sedating herself in course of that help.

“The victim also alleged that the accused took her objectionable pictures after sedating her and used these to blackmail her into forced sexual intercourse many times,” it reads.

It added that the accused also took her gold ornaments in the course of blackmailing her. “Pertinent to mention the lady was a student in an institution in central Kashmir at the time of the occurrence of this crime.”

It further reads that a case under FIR No. 50/22 in Sections 376, 384 and 506 of IPC has been registered in Women Police Station Srinagar.

“Investigation into the case is going on to unearth more facts and some more allegations made by the victim in this case. Keeping in view the heinous nature of the crime, a SIT has been constituted headed by DySP Hqs Owais Wani and comprising of DySP PC. Sleet Shah, SHO Women PS, Khalida Parveen, and ASI Mohd Yousuf Shah as members,” it added.

The statement further reads that Srinagar Police assures all its citizens that crime against women will not be tolerated at all and stringent punishment will be given to those involved.

BUDGAM — Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested a man for raping a 17-year-old non-local girl in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, police said.

According to a statement, as per the news agency KDC, Budgam Police said, “On 13th August about 23:00 hrs, Police Post Soibugh received a written complaint from Riyaz Ahmed Khan son of Raju Khan, resident Lakheempora Keeri Bihar, presently working at Brick Kiln 71-P Wahabpora, stating therein that his sister (name withheld) age about 17 years went missing on 12-08-2022 at about 04:00 AM from home and later searched for her and was traced out about 16:00 hrs on the same date."

It added, "Meanwhile, the complainant's sister disclosed that she was kidnapped and raped by one namely Liyakat Ali Dar son of Mohammad Jaffar Dar, resident of Wahabpora Budgam.”

In this regard, a case FIR Number 275/2022 under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Budgam and an investigation has been taken up, they said.

The accused was absconding but after strenuous efforts of Police Post Saibug, the accused was on Tuesday arrested from Wadwan area of Budgam.

Community members are requested to cooperate with police in curbing social crimes in their neighbourhood, police added.

SRINAGAR — In yet another shocking incident, a Polytechnic student was allegedly raped in Bemina area of Srinagar on Friday, Police said and added that the accused has been arrested.

According to the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), police said that the accused identified as Zahid Majeed Sheikh, son of Abdul Majeed of Shalteng Srinagar, who has allegedly raped a student of Government Polytechnic, was arrested by Bemina Police.

However, police said that the victim is undergoing treatment and her condition is stated to be stable.

Meanwhile, a case under FIR number 55/2022 under Section 376 of IPC has been registered at Bemina Police Station while the investigation is underway.

"One accused namely Zahid Majeed Sheikh S/o Abdul Majeed R/o Shalteng arrested for raping a student of Govt Polytechnic, Bemina today. Case was registered under FIR no 55/2022 u/s 376 of IPC at PS Bemina today afternoon. Victim is undergoing treatment at a hospital & is stable," Srinagar Police tweeted.

BUDGAM — Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested a man for raping a 19-year-old girl in Budgam district.

In a statement issued to the news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO), police said it received a written complaint from a person Ghulam Rasool Sheikh, stating therein that his 19-year-old daughter (name withheld) has been forcefully raped by a man, Mudasir Ahmed Wani who is a resident of Zagoo Kharein.

In this regard, police registered a case under relevant sections at Police Station Khansahib and arrested the accused.

A medical examination of the victim was conducted by a board of doctors at SDH Khansahib, on the basis of the statement of the victim.

Offences under Section 376 of the IPC (rape) and relevant sections have been implied upon the accused, police said.

ANANTNAG — A minor girl was allegedly kidnapped and later raped in south Kashmir's Anantnag district, an official said on Wednesday.

The official told local news agency Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that while conducting routine track clearance, a team of railway police spotted a girl along with two boys in a railway hut.

While investigating the matter, the girl (name withheld) alleged that she was kidnapped by two boys when she was on her way to her home on Tuesday, the official said.

He added that the minor alleged that two youth namely Danish Ahmad Rather son of Basheer Ahmad Rather and Mukhtar Ahmad Rather son of Mohammad Shafi Rather, both residents of Hassanpora Tavela kidnapped her.

A case in this regard has been registered and further investigations have been taken up.

The girl was handed over to her family after a medico-legal examination while the accused duo are under custody in Police Station Wanpoh and further investigation is going on.