Custodial death: HP Govt suspends IG Zaidi

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 15

The Himachal Government today placed Inspector General of Police ZH Zaidi, currently posted as CEO of the HP Wakf Board, under suspension with immediate effect following statement made by SP Soumya Sambasivan (Commandant 3 rd IRB Pandoh) in the CBI court, Chandigarh, that she was being pressurised telephonically by Zaidi to change her statement in the custodial death case.

He has been suspended under Rule 3 of All India Services (discipline and appeal rules, 1969). The department also proposed to hold an inquiry into the matter under Rule of 8 of All India Services.

Soumya had submitted an application/complaint on January 8, 2020, in the CBI court and the report in this regard was received from the Himachal DGP today along with a copy of the order of the CBI special judge for taking appropriate action in the matter.

Eight police personnel, including IG Zaidi and DSP Manoj Joshi, were arrested on August 29, 2017, under Sections 302, 120-B, 348, 323, 326, 218, 201, 330, 331, 195 and 196 of the IPC, while DW Negi was arrested on November 16, 2017.

Suraj, an accused in the infamous Kotkhai Gudia rape and murder case, was killed in the Kotkhai police station on the intervening night of July 18 and 19, 2017.