Shimla, July 12: A special investigating team (SIT) yesterday rounded up four suspects, three locals and forth one the servant of a suspect, for the rape and murder of a schoolgirl in Kotkhai. Her body was recovered from Dandi forest of Mahasu area on July 6.
The girl was raped and murdered on July 4 when she was way back from her school in a Kotkhai village. “SIT refused to disclose their identities as it has to zero in on the key accused and may summon more suspects for questioning,” revealed a SIT official.
The police team has yet to match the fingerprints on the victim’s body with those of the suspects before it arrived at the conclusion, revealed sources.
“We have summoned some suspects for questioning and the process is still on,” said Zahur Zaidi, IG, southern range, who is heading SIT and is camping at Kotkhai to monitor the investigation into the brutal rape and murder of the schoolgirl. “It is too early to disclose the outcome of investigation and we hope to make a breakthrough in the case in a day or so”, he told The Tribune on the phone from Kotkhai.
CM announces Rs5 lakh aid to victim’s familyShimla: Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh yesterday directed DGP Somesh Goyal to pool all resources to nab culprits of the brutal rape and murder of the 16-year-old schoolgirl of Kotkhai as early as possible. No mercy would be shown to the culprits, he asserted.
“We are with the aggrieved family members of the girl and every possible steps will be taken to provide justice to them,” he said.
Expressing concern over the delay in nabbing the criminals, the Chief Minister issued directions to the DGP, who called on him at his private residence yesterday. “All necessary steps should be taken to arrest the culprits. It has been long since the culprits have been out of the reach of the police and hence I have issued directions to nab them as soon as possible,” said the Chief Minister.
Earlier, he also announced Rs 5 lakh assistance to the family of the victim. He said a special investigation team (SIT) had also been formed.The DGP announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh for anyone who gives a clue in connection with the crime.
The DGP claimed that the four-member SIT team, headed by IG southern range, had started investigation and the IG was camping at Kotkhai and he could involve more officers to complete the investigation at the earliest. The DGP directed IGs and SPs to ensure the safety of women and start a campaign against drug peddlers and drunken behaviour of anti-social elements in public. — TNS
Source: Tribune India
