Srinagar, Sep 21: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has dismissed a government school teacher from service with immediate effect in connection with the case involving the death of a minor girl in Kishtwar, invoking Article 311(2)(b) of the Constitution.
The action has been taken against Khalid Hussain, Teacher Grade-II at Government Middle School Bumalpora, Gurinalla, Zone Inderwal, Kishtwar, through Government Order No. 388-JK (Edu) of 2026 issued by the School Education Department on September 21.
The teacher was earlier arrested and placed under suspension in connection with FIR No. 34/2026 registered at Police Station Chatroo under Sections 61(2), 65(1), 90, 91 and 92 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and Sections 4, 6, 8, 10 and 17 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. Reports on the case said the minor girl from Chatroo died while being shifted for medical treatment following complications related to her pregnancy. The case had triggered protests and demands for strict action.
According to the government order, the competent authority considered the facts and circumstances of the case and the material available on record and concluded that the teacher’s conduct warranted the imposition of a major penalty.
The order said it was “not reasonably practicable” to hold a regular departmental inquiry in the case and placed it in the category of “rarest of the rare cases”.
Accordingly, the government imposed the major penalty of dismissal from service under Article 311(2)(b) of the Constitution read with Rule 30(viii) of the J&K Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956. The dismissal ordinarily disqualifies the teacher from future government employment.
The government further stated that continuation of the teacher in service would be detrimental to the interests of the government and could erode public trust in government institutions.
In a separate statement, the School Education Department said the teacher was in judicial custody in connection with the BNS and POCSO case and was dismissed after the department determined that conducting a regular departmental inquiry was not reasonably practicable under the circumstances.
Education Minister Sakina Itoo said the safety of children was paramount and described schools as institutions of trust. She said the government had taken decisive action in the Kishtwar case and that the dismissal reflected its commitment to the safety and dignity of children.
The minister said, “Every child deserves a safe school and a secure environment to learn and grow,” while stressing that there would be no compromise on child safety.
The School Education Department reiterated its commitment to child protection in educational institutions and strict accountability of school staff.
The criminal investigation and trial in the matter are being pursued by the concerned law-enforcement authorities in accordance with law. The allegations against the accused remain subject to the outcome of the criminal proceedings.
