Kotkhai gangrape-murder case: CBI deputes IG rank officer to oversee probe

Earlier, the probe was being headed by DIG rank officers.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will submit its interim report in the Kotkahi rape and murder case before the Himachal Pradesh high court on Wednesday.

The high court had transferred the investigation to the CBI after the special investigation team of the Himachal Pradesh Police faced widespread allegations that its probe was botched up. (HT File)

On Tuesday, the investigating agency deputed an IGP (inspector general of police) rank officer to accelerate the probe. Earlier, the probe was being headed by DIG rank officers.

Timeline

July 4: Gudiya (name changed) is missing

July 6: Her body is found in a forested area

July 7: Protests in Shimla and Kotkhai over rape and murder

July 9: Police constitutes SIT under IG (south)

July 12: Six youth detained for questioning

July 13: Police claims breakthrough, arrests six

July 14: Mob vandalise police station in Theogh

July 15: Massive protest in Shimla

July 19: Suraj dies in police custody; mob set on Kotkhai police station on fire

July 22: CBI takes over investigation

July 25: CBI re-examines Suraj’s body

The investigating agency has so far questioned more than two dozen people who are directly or indirectly related to the rape and murder of the 16-year-old Class-10 student.

On Tuesday, the CBI team visited Hilaila village in Shimla district’s Kotkhai tehsil to gather additional information about the crime. The girl’s naked body was found from a forested area near this village on July 4.

Ever since the investigation was handed over to the CBI from the state police, a CBI team has been camping in Shimla. Two FIR’s have been registered so far. One pertains to the rape and murder of the Class-10 student while the other pertains to the custodial death of Nepalese national, Suraj, who was arrested as an accused in the case.

The high court had transferred the investigation to the CBI after the special investigation team of the Himachal Pradesh Police faced widespread allegations that its probe was botched up. The HC had also asked the central agency to submit a status report on August 2 before it.

There were also reports that the CBI has rounded up some youths for questioning, however the agency denied them. “We have neither detained nor arrested anyone so far. The investigations are on,” CBI spokesperson RK Gaur told Hindustan Times.

“I cannot reveal anything about the status report as of now,” he added.

What Suraj’s autopsy said

He died due to multiple injuries

Had marks all over his body that confirmed torture in police custody

Injuries sustained on head, legs, chest and upper abdomen

What victim’s autopsy said

She died 48 hours before her body was found in Hilaila

Body had started decomposing

She had maggots in her eyes and other body parts

Marks indicating strangulation were found on neck

She died due to smothering caused by strangulation