'Injured, unconscious and raped': Police make shocking revelation on Ganderbal rape and murder case

July 17, 2025 by News Desk

Shah Basit

The tragic death of a 28-year-old woman in Safapora, initially reported as a domestic mishap, has now been confirmed as a suspected case of rape and murder, sending shockwaves through Ganderbal district and beyond. Within hours of the incident, police arrested the accused, the woman’s own relative, and launched a high-priority investigation.

The woman, a mother of two, had been visiting her parental home in Safapora and was invited by her sister-in-law for a planned family picnic. According to family members who spoke to The Kashmiriyat, she arrived late on Saturday night and later complained of tooth pain around 12 a.m. Her sister-in-law’s husband, Sajad Ahmad, took her to the hospital on a two-wheeler. Hours later, her lifeless body was returned home, and the family was told she had slipped in the bathroom.

But visible injuries, drag marks, and bruises on her body told a different story.

According to the Ganderbal Police, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was immediately formed under the supervision of DySP Owais Lone. Investigators soon found inconsistencies in the family’s version and began retracing the accused’s movements.

The police, as per Srinagar based news agency, Kashmir Dot Com said that after leaving the hospital, the accused took the woman to a deserted field, where he pushed her off the motorcycle, causing a critical head injury. “He then allegedly committed a sexual act while she lay unconscious. Realizing she was unresponsive, he brought her back home and concocted a false story of a bathroom fall,” the report added, Police as saying.

A trail of blood from the road to an isolated spot led police to the crime scene, sealing the case against the accused.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ganderbal Khalil Ahmad Poswal said all necessary forensic samples have been collected and sent for analysis. He assured that the accused would not be granted bail and warned that anyone found assisting him would face legal action. In an important move, the police have encouraged locals to form a four-member community liaison team to remain updated about the progress of the investigation. SSP Poswal said during his visit to pacify the protesting residents that the case is being treated with utmost priority and no stone will be left unturned to ensure justice.

As news of the incident spread, Safapora erupted in grief and fury. Shops were shut, and residents — men, women, and children — marched through the streets demanding justice and protection for women. One protester said, “If our daughters aren’t safe among their own, what’s left of our society?” Another added, “This isn’t just about one woman — it’s about a collapsing system where silence, shame, and impunity protect the guilty.”

According to NCRB data, over 31,000 rape cases were reported in India in both 2021 and 2022. Jammu & Kashmir alone saw a 21% spike in reported rape cases between those years, with Srinagar registering the highest incidents, including acid attacks and custodial abuse. Experts say actual numbers are likely much higher due to underreporting driven by fear and stigma.

As forensic results are awaited and legal proceedings begin, the victim’s family and the Safapora community remain united in their demand: swift, transparent justice. A local activist said, “This darkness won’t lift until we confront what’s rotting beneath the surface. This case must not become just another file on a dusty shelf.”

Further updates will follow as the investigation progresses.