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Infant-swap allegations raise disturbing questions

MINOR GIRL'S RAPE, DEATH

Muskan Thakur
Early Times Report

Jammu, Aug 27: Fresh allegations surrounding the tragic case of a rape and death of a minor girl have raised disturbing questions, with claims that the infant allegedly delivered by the 12-year-old victim may have been changed in an attempt to protect the main accused.
Amid growing concern among the local population, BJP leader and Kishtwar MLA Shagun Parihar on Thursday assured residents of Chatroo that the allegations would be thoroughly verified and the truth brought to light. Addressing people in Chatroo, Parihar said that a detailed verification would be carried out at hospitals in Kishtwar, Doda, Bhaderwah and Batote to ascertain the identity of newborns delivered during the relevant period.
“Some people have alleged that the infant was changed with the connivance of hospital staff. I have assured them that proper verification will be conducted in Kishtwar, Doda, Bhaderwah and Batote hospitals to identify the parents of all children born during that period,” she said.
The allegations have added another deeply troubling dimension to a case that has already shocked the conscience of the region. The death of the minor tribal girl after she was allegedly subjected to repeated sexual assault has triggered widespread outrage and demands for a fair and time-bound investigation.
Parihar also expressed anguish over allegations that certain influential individuals attempted to suppress the heinous crime by intimidating the victim’s poor family and allegedly offering them money.
She assured the people that action would be sought against Panchayat members who allegedly attempted to hush up the matter instead of standing with the victim and her family.
“We all felt ashamed of those Panchayat members who were involved in shielding the accused,” she said, stressing that no individual should be allowed to interfere with the course of justice.
The allegations of intimidation and attempts to suppress the case have further intensified demands for an investigation by an independent agency so that every aspect of the case, including the circumstances surrounding the infant, can be examined without fear or favour.
Responding to demands from local residents, Parihar said she would approach Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat seeking that the case be handed over to the Crime Branch for a fair, transparent and impartial investigation.
She also assured the gathering that she would take up the demand for a fast-track court so that proceedings in the case could be expedited and the victim’s family does not have to endure a prolonged wait for justice.
For the grieving family, the issue is no longer merely about an investigation—it is about restoring their faith that the truth will not be buried under influence, intimidation or silence.
As anger continues to simmer in Chatroo, the demand from the community remains clear: every allegation must be investigated, every person responsible must be held accountable, and justice must be delivered to the victim without delay.