Baramulla: The Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested three men in connection with the sexual assault of a 16-year-old mentally challenged girl in Kunzer area of Baramulla district, following a months-long investigation backed by forensic evidence.
In a statement, the police said that FIR 04/2025 was registered at Kunzer Police Station in January this year under relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), after the girl was found to be 25 weeks pregnant during a routine medical examination at sub-district Hospital Magam.
The investigation, led by then SHO Kunzer Inspector Sheikh Adil, revealed that the girl had been sexually assaulted on multiple occasions. Two accused — Rafiq Bhat of Dhobiwan and Nasarullah Khan of Hayhama Lolab, Kupwara — were arrested in the initial phase on charges of rape, aggravated sexual assault, and kidnapping. However, subsequent DNA analysis ruled them out as the biological father.
After further investigation, police identified Jawad Alam, a resident of Champaran, as a prime accused. Forensic results confirmed that Alam’s DNA matched the foetus, establishing him as the biological father and directly linking him to the assault that led to the pregnancy.
