The formation of SIT follows reports from local police stations about the deaths of 14 people from three different families. Initial reports following the investigation by the medical teams indicated the presence of certain neurotoxins in the samples of the deceased.
In response to the growing concerns over the deaths of 14 people, including 11 children, from three families due to a ‘mysterious disease’ in the remote Badhaal village, the Rajouri Police have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case.
The SIT, which comprises 11 members, is headed by Superintendent of Police (Operations) Wajahat Hussain. It includes senior officers, including Deputy Superintendent of Police Vikram Sarmhal, SHO of Kandi Abrar Khan, SHO of the Women's Police Station in Rajouri Sushma Thakur, and Inspector Rajeev Kumar, among others.
According to an order from Senior Superintendent of Police Gaurav Sikarwar, the team will investigate the deaths in a sensitive and thorough manner.
The formation of SIT follows reports from local police stations about the deaths of a man and his four children, a woman and her three children, and a man and his four grandchildren. These incidents were recorded in four daily diary reports (DDRs) filed between December 7, 2024, and January 12, 2025.
Initial reports following the investigation by the medical teams indicated the presence of certain neurotoxins in the samples of the deceased, which are now being analysed further to determine the exact cause of the deaths.
Experts from several departments, including Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Microbiology, Paediatrics, and Pathology, have also been called in to assist with the investigation. The team is also set to collaborate with officials from food safety, agriculture, Jal Shakti (Public Health Engineering), and the Forensic Science Laboratory team in Jammu. The SIT has been tasked with submitting a weekly progress report to the district police office.
J&K BJP criticises NC govt for inaction
The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly criticised the National Conference-led government for its ‘inaction’ over the alarming situation. Party spokesperson Tahir Choudhary accused the administration of inaction and negligence, pointing to the lack of concrete measures to address the growing crisis in Badhaal village.
“The mysterious deaths in the village in Rajouri is a cause of concern for everyone and shows the (Chief Minister) Omar Abdullah-led government's apathy and failure to address the crisis-like situation,” Tahir Choudhary told reporters.
He urged the Centre to send experts to investigate the cause of the deaths, including collecting samples from local markets, water sources, and surrounding areas.
Choudhary also called for a thorough police investigation to rule out any foul play and urged the government to take immediate responsibility for ensuring the safety of the people in the region.
In response to the allegations, Jammu and Kashmir's Health Minister Sakeena Masood stated that tests conducted within and outside the Union Territory had not revealed any specific disease, virus, or infection as the cause of the deaths. She confirmed that the victims had not been suffering from any known illness or infection.