Himachal Pradesh HC directs CBI to take up Kotkhai rape-murder, death of accused in custody

Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Wednesday handed over the investigation into the Kotkhai gang-rape and murder case and also the custodial death of one of the accused to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

A division bench of the High Court consisting of acting chief justice Sanjay Karol and justice Sandeep Sharma directed the CBI to constitute a three member SIT,?headed by an officer not below the rank of SP, along with two DSPs, and start investigations.

The court also asked the state police to hand over the entire record of the case to the CBI and also took on record the affidavits filed by the Director General of Police (DGP), Somesh Goel, who was present in the court.

The state government had earlier moved the High Court seeking that the CBI be directed to take over the investigations.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh had also written a letter to the prime minister in this regard.

The state government had decided to get the case referred to the CBI for investigation following public outcry against the inquiry by the police.

People had taken to streets last week and there were allegations about attempts to shelter some influential persons involved in the heinous crime and that the six accused held in the case were not the main accused.

One of the accused persons held in connection with the shocking rape and murder case was allegedly killed in the lock-up by another accused last night, according to police officials.