43 Days On, Shopian Woman's Family Awaits Post-Mortem Report

Shopian- More than six weeks after the death of a 35-year-old woman at her in-laws' home in Takibal Reban, Zainapora, Shopian, the family alleges that the investigation has made little headway and the post-mortem report is yet to be received.

The deceased, identified as Urfi Jan, wife of Showkat Ahmad Lone, was reportedly brought dead to Sub-District Hospital Yaripora on the night of the incident in mid-August. While her in-laws informed the family that she had suffered a heart attack, her relatives have alleged foul play, pointing to a history of domestic violence.

Soon after, her body was shifted to District Hospital Shopian for medico-legal formalities. Authorities, including the Sub-Divisional Magistrate Zainapora, confirmed that an inquiry had been initiated, and officials collected evidence at the spot. The case sparked protests in her native Harnag, Anantnag, where relatives and locals blocked the Anantnag–Qazigund highway, demanding justice.

Adding to the family's suspicions, they said that just days before her death, Urfi had submitted a written application at a local police station stating that her in-laws should be held responsible if anything untoward happened to her.

Forty-three days later, the family claims they have not been contacted for evidence.“The police haven't even asked us for details or statements we have. How can an investigation move forward like this?” her sister Insha told Kashmir Observer.

Her brother, Gowher Ahmad alleged that the CCTV footage from SDH Yaripora, where Urfi was taken, was never provided.“We were told there was a technical error and that only the footage from that night is missing. How is that possible?” he asked.

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