Govt submits report to Guv; CBI yet take over probe

Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 21

Even as a formal order from the CBI is still awaited for taking over the investigation into the rape and murder of the 16-year-old Kotkhai girl, the Himachal Pradesh Government today submitted the report sought by Governor Acharya Devvrat on the issue.

The two-page report submitted by Chief Secretary VC Pharka to the Governor details the sequence of events and the steps taken by the police so far. Copies of a number of documents, including the letter written by the CM to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and order for the constitution of a special investigation team (SIT), have been attached with the report.

The report gives details of the case registered under Sections 302, 376 of the IPC and Section 4 of the POSCO Act at the Kotkhai police station on July 6 besides making a mention of the constitution of the SIT headed by Inspector General of Police (South) on July 12.

The report also talks about the death of one of the accused Suraj in police custody and the registration of an FIR under Section 302 of the IPC on July 19 in that regard, the suspension of the SHO and the sentry of the Kotkhai police station for dereliction of duty, the transfer of the entire staff of the police station and the registration of five FIRs, including three at Kotkhai and one at Theog, in connection with the rampage and protests by angry mob.

Meanwhile, the four accused in the case were today produced in a Theog court that remanded them in judicial custody till July 27.

Meanwhile, the district police have decided to provide security to Mamta the wife of Nepalese labourer Suraj who died in custody. She is being shifted from her hutment in the orchard in Kotkhai to a safer location.