3 youths found dead in guest house; cops form SIT

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the mysterious deaths of three youths who had travelled to Bhaderwah to celebrate New Year.

The police reported that the three, identified as Ashutosh Rana and Sunny Choudhary from Purkhoo, and Mukesh Singh from Domana, were staying at the Royal Inn guest house. Hotel staff and family members raised the alarm when repeated knocks on the door of room No. 103 and phone calls went unanswered.

A police team, led by Bhaderwah SHO Inspector Sandeep Parihar, arrived at the scene and broke open the door. The trio was found lying unconscious. Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) and medical teams from Bhaderwah Sub-District Hospital (SDH) were called in immediately, and the youths were declared dead by the medical team.

Senior officials, including Doda SSP Sandeep Mehta, Additional SP, Bhaderwah, Vinod Sharma and Bhaderwah SDPO Wasim Hamdani, examined the site along with the FSL team.

Given the gravity of the situation, the Doda SSP has constituted a SIT under the leadership of the Additional SP, Bhaderwah, to determine the exact cause of death and rule out foul play. On the district police’s request, a medical board has been set up to conduct the postmortem.

Inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC have been initiated, and further investigations are underway.