Kotkhai-like case in Kangra

Tribune Reporters

Dharamsala, February 10

The half-naked body of a 20-year-old girl was found from a forest area near  Kotla in Kangra district today. The police are suspecting it a case of rape and murder.

The case reminds one of the Kotkhai gangrape. It is learnt that the police are leaving no stone unturned to solve the case at the earliest, fearing it could trigger protests or snowball into a controversy.

SP Santosh Patial said it appeared to be a case of rape and murder. “We are on the verge of cracking it,” the SP added.

Sources said the victim had gone to meet her  sister to Padhar village on February 4. The place is 20 km away from her house near Shahpur. When she did not return, the family filed a complaint at the Shahpur police station on February 6. She was last spotted at the Dol bus stand on February 5. The police had been looking for the girl when this morning, they were told that a girl’s body was lying in a forest near Kotla. The body  has been sent for post-mortem.

Victim was last seen at Dol bus stand on February 5

• On Feb 5, around 7.30 am, she was seen at the Dol bus stand, but did not return home.
• On Feb 6, her family members filed a missing report with the police.
• Forensic experts are examining the spot and a probe has been started.
• The postmortem will be conducted at Tanda medical college on Sunday.