Kotkahi rape-murder case: Himachal govt transfers Shimla IG ZH Zaidi, SP DW Negi

PTI photo

Shimla rape-murder case: The Himachal Pradesh government transferred at least seven officers, including the special investigation team (SIT) chief, after custodial death of one of the accused in Kotkhai gang-rape and murder case on late Wednesday. 

Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Zahur Haidar Zaidi, who was the inspector general (IG) southern range, has been transferred and is now IG (welfare and administration), Shimla police headquarter. 

Zaidi was the head of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that was investigating the rape and murder case. He claimed to have solved the case on July 13 with the arrest of six accused, however, he went on leave after people questioned the basis of arrests being made. 

Ajay Kumar Yadav, IGP ( central range) Mandi has been given the charge of Shimla in place of Zaidi while Soumya Sambasivan, SP Sirmaur will be new SP of Shimla. DW Negi has been sent to state Vigilance and anti corruption Bureau while IGP Zaidi will be posted in police HQs in the same rank. 

Meanwhile, Governor Acharya Devvrat summoned State Director General of Police Somesh Goyal and sought a report from the government on the case. In a letter to the chief secretary, Devvrat said the alleged rape-murder of the minor girl was a serious matter which had angered people across the state.

The High Court also summoned the DGP and sought a report.

On Wednesday, an accused in Kotkhai rape and murder case, Suraj Singh (29), was allegedly murdered by prime-accused Rajender Singh in lock up at the Kotkhai police station. The case triggered violent protests in Kotkhai town, where a mob pelted stones on cops and set the police station on fire. 

On July 4, a 16-year-old girl was raped and murdered at the Kotkhai area of Shimla district after she was offered a lift in a car by a group of people. Her body was recovered from the nearby Halila forest two days later.

A massive protest has been carried out at several places across the state against the rape-murder of the minor.