CBI Probe Sought as Budhal Deaths Spark Assembly Storm in Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu: The Jammu & Kashmir Assembly witnessed heated scenes on Wednesday as lawmakers demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the mysterious deaths of 17 people in Budhal village of Rajouri district. 

Preliminary forensic reports revealed multiple deadly toxins in the victims’ bodies have raised suspicions of mass poisoning, with legislators alleging a larger conspiracy to destabilize the newly carved union territory.

Raising the issue during Question Hour, Budhal MLA Javed Iqbal Choudhary called the fatalities “deeply suspicious” and urged the government to hand over the case to the CBI.

“Different toxins have been found in the samples. It seems they were poisoned with a truckload of toxins,” Choudhary alleged, warning that the deaths should not be seen in isolation from similar incidents in Kulgam and Kathua.

“It appears to be a deliberate attempt to disturb the fragile peace in Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

MLA Surankote Choudhary Muhammad Akram backed the demand for a CBI probe, while CPI(M) leader Muhammad Yousouf Tarigami said the mysterious deaths reflect a serious security concern.

“The invisible hands behind these deaths must be unmasked. What happened in Budhal could happen anywhere tomorrow,” Tarigami warned, urging immediate action.

Responding to the demands, Minister for Health & Medical Education Sakina Ittoo informed the House that the Health Department has conducted its investigations and that the matter is now under the purview of the Home Department.

Also Read: Pak terrorist infiltration: NIA raids over 10 locations in Jammu

“We have done what we could. The Home Department is not under our control,” she said.

In a written statement, Ittoo revealed that the deaths were not caused by any communicable disease, and laboratory reports showed traces of aluminum, cadmium, and the pesticide chlorfenapyr in the viscera of all 17 deceased, as per reports from PGIMER Chandigarh and CFSL Chandigarh.

Amid mounting public pressure, a high-level inter-ministerial 16-member team, led by a senior official from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has been dispatched to probe the deaths in Badhaal village. The team, comprising experts from various disciplines, is working closely with state authorities to determine the source of the contamination.

Additionally, the Jammu and Kashmir Police formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on January 14, comprising specialists in forensic medicine, toxicology, microbiology, and pediatrics. The SIT is exploring all possible angles, including foul play, and is focused on identifying the origin of the toxins.

The deaths occurred between December 7, 2024, and January 19, 2025, primarily affecting three related families in Budhal village, located in Rajouri’s Kotranka subdivision.

The tragedy began when five villagers, including four children, died after a community feast. As more deaths followed, panic gripped the area, and authorities sealed off a local spring suspected to be contaminated after tests found traces of pesticides and insecticides.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Dil Mir ordered the spring sealed and deployed security to prevent villagers from accessing it.

“There is concern that the tribal population may secretly collect water from the spring. This must be prevented at all costs,” his order stated.

Earlier in January, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah visited Budhal and assured the residents of a thorough investigation in coordination with central agencies. While health, police, and forensic teams continue their efforts, the exact source of the poisoning remains unidentified.