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Arrested community leader pretended to be seriously ill to evade Crime Branch questioning

Rape, Death Case Of Chatroo Minor Girl

Jammu, September 7: An 85-year-old community leader arrested in connection with the Chatroo minor girl case allegedly tried to hoodwink the Crime Branch by pretending to be seriously ill and getting himself admitted to a hospital to avoid questioning by investigators.

Peer Bakash, who was arrested for allegedly convening a panchayat to pressure the father of the minor victim and facilitate a settlement in favour of the accused headmaster, was reportedly admitted to a hospital soon after the Crime Branch took over the investigation.

However, his alleged attempt to evade questioning came under scrutiny when a team of doctors examined him on Sunday while he was in Crime Branch custody. According to reports, the medical examination found him fit, raising suspicion that he had exaggerated or feigned his illness to avoid interrogation.

The elderly community leader is accused of intervening in the case after the Class 5 student became pregnant following alleged sexual exploitation by the headmaster of her government school. Investigators allege that Bakash convened a meeting involving prominent members of the community, including religious leaders, and pressured the girl's father to accept money allegedly offered to suppress the matter.

He is further accused of using his influence and intimidation to force the victim's father to facilitate the termination of the minor girl's pregnancy.

The Crime Branch arrested Bakash on Sunday as part of its investigation into the alleged sexual exploitation of the minor and subsequent attempts to suppress the case.

With his arrest, the number of people arrested in connection with the case has risen to 10. Those arrested include the alleged main accused, the headmaster of the government school, and two female employees of the Health Department.

The Crime Branch is probing the alleged role of all those accused of attempting to conceal the crime and influence the victim's family.