Ganderbal: Police have cracked a heinous crime case involving the sexual assault and murder of a woman from Kondbal area in Ganderbal area within just 24 hours of its occurrence. The accused, a relative of the victim, has been arrested and is in police custody.
The case initially appeared to be a domestic accident when the woman’s body was brought to District Hospital Ganderbal on the evening of July 12. However, suspicious circumstances prompted Ganderbal Police to launch a detailed inquest into the matter.
“From the very beginning, we suspected foul play based on the inconsistencies in the version given by the family,” a police officer said.
“Given the gravity of the case, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed under the supervision of Owais Loun, DySP Headquarters Ganderbal, which moved with precision and sensitivity,” the officer said.
During the investigation, police found that the deceased had gone to visit her sister-in-law in Barkati Mohalla, Safapora, along with her minor son. That same evening, she was picked up by Sajad Ahmad, the husband of her sister-in-law.
Later that night, after the victim complained of tooth pain, Sajad took her to a local hospital. But instead of returning home post-treatment, he diverted towards an isolated field, the officer said, adding that when the victim sensed danger and threatened to jump off the motorcycle, Sajad stopped the vehicle and allegedly pushed her violently to the ground, resulting in a critical head injury.
The accused then sexually assaulted her. When he realised she was unresponsive, he returned her to her home and concocted a false story that she had suffered an accident in the washroom, the police said.
The officer said “The breakthrough in the case came when investigators found a trail of blood on the road, which led them to a secluded field situated several kilometers from the accused’s residence.”
“The accused tried to mislead the family and authorities by fabricating the cause of death as bathroom accident. However, our investigation team worked round the clock to uncover the truth,” a senior police officer involved in the probe said.
The accused has been arrested, and further legal proceedings are underway. Ganderbal Police have reaffirmed their commitment to justice, especially in cases involving violence against women.(KDC)
