Kotkhai custodial death case: CBI demands voice sample of 8 policemen

Eight Himachal policemen including an IG rank officer arrested by CBI in case of custodial death of an accused in Kotkhai rape case.

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SHIMLA: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday filed an application demanding voice sampling of eight policemen in connection with the custodial death of an accused in Kotkhai rape-murder case.

The CBI officials also demanded the voice sample of Himachal Pradesh inspector general of police Zahur Zaidi in connection with the case. 

Earlier today, the investigation agency filed a charge-sheet in the case. 

The brutal gang rape and murder of a schoolgirl at Kotkhai in Shimla in July this year created a huge uproar in the state.

On July 4, the 16-year-old victim was returning back from school when she went missing. Two days later, the police recovered her body from Halaila forests of Kotkhai.

On July 13, six people were arrested on charges of rape and murder and five days later one of the accused- Suraj Singh, a Nepali national, died in police custody.

Other arrested accused in the case were: Rajender Singh alias Raju, driver-cum-orchard manager; Ashish Chauhan, son of an orchardist; Subhash Singh Bisht and Deepak (both from Uttrakhand) and Lokjan alias Chottu, who is a Nepali national.

Earlier in July, the Himachal Pradesh High Court transferred the two cases to the CBI after the custodial death of Suraj Singh came to light.

On August 29, the CBI arrested eight policemen: IGP Zahur H. Zaidi, who was heading the Special Investigation Team probing the crime; Deputy Superintendent Manoj Joshi; and former Station House Officer Rajinder Singh, a Sub-Inspector; Assistant Sub-Inspector Deep Chand; Head Constables- Surat Singh, Mohan Lal, and Rafiq Ali and Constable Ranjit Streta.

On November 16, the CBI summoned DW Negi, former Superintendent of Police Shimla who was initially supervising the investigation in the rape and murder case before the setting up of a Special Investigation Team (SIT).