Rajouri — The mysterious death of a 25-year-old man in Rajouri district of India-administered Kashmir has sparked protests and calls for an impartial investigation, after his body was discovered under suspicious circumstances near a bridge in Chakli village.
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The deceased has been identified as Aman Sharma, son of Rashpal Sharma and a resident of Chakli. According to local reports, the young man had left home on Sunday with friends to celebrate a birthday gathering but did not return.
His body was discovered on Monday morning beneath a पुल (bridge) near Chakli, raising concerns among family members and residents who believe the circumstances surrounding the death warrant a detailed and transparent inquiry.
Following the discovery of the body, relatives and local residents staged a protest at Chakli Dhanwan, blocking the strategic Jammu–Rajouri–Poonch National Highway for nearly three hours.
Demonstrators expressed anger and grief, alleging that the death appeared suspicious and demanding a fair investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident. Protesters also voiced concerns about the lack of clarity regarding events leading up to the young man’s death.
The highway blockade temporarily disrupted traffic movement in the region, highlighting the intensity of local sentiment surrounding the case.
Family members stated that Aman Sharma belonged to a financially vulnerable household and appealed to authorities for financial assistance to help cover funeral expenses.
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Police officials reached the site shortly after receiving information about the incident and took custody of the body. The remains were later transferred to the Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri hospital for post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death.
Senior police officers engaged with protesters and assured them that a formal case had been registered at Police Station Rajouri under relevant legal provisions. Authorities confirmed that further investigation is being conducted through Police Post Chingus.
Officials stated that forensic and procedural steps are being followed to establish the sequence of events surrounding the incident.
Alongside law enforcement authorities, members of the civil administration also visited the protest site to address the concerns of the bereaved family.
Assistant Commissioner (Revenue) Rajouri, Jehangir Khan, assured the family that financial assistance would be provided in accordance with legal provisions. Officials stated that the administration would review the family’s request under existing relief frameworks.
Following these assurances, protesters dispersed and traffic movement on the highway was restored.
Despite the restoration of normal traffic, an atmosphere of concern remains in the locality, with residents calling for transparency and timely updates regarding the investigation.
Cases involving sudden or unexplained deaths often generate strong public reaction in smaller communities, where demands for accountability and clarity are closely tied to public trust in institutions.
Authorities have not yet released details regarding the post-mortem findings. Officials say further updates will be provided once preliminary medical and investigative reports are completed.
