Big Blot On Himachal Police

Himachal This Week, Shimla

The CBI investigations in infamous Kotkhai rape and murder case is taking strange twist and turns. It is no less than a filmy plot and huge blot for Himachal Police as eight Himachal Pradesh Police cops, including Inspector General Zahur H Zaidi and DSP Manoj Joshi have already been arrested by CBI in connection with the custodial death of Suraj, an accused in the Kotkhai rape and murder case. Ironically, the arrested cops were members of Special Investigation team constituted to provide justice to the victim. In fact whole investigation in this case has come to full circle with DNA tests debunking the SIT theory. The CBI has tightened its grip over police and has called five other police officials including ASP Bhajan Negi and DSP Rattan Negi, and two santris and munshi of Kotkhai police station for questioning to Delhi.

ASP Bhajan Negi was member of SIT team while DSP Rattan Negi was also associated with Kotkhai case investigations. The two santris were on nigh duty in Kotkhai police station in shifts on July 18 night when Suraj died in police custody while Munshi entered report in daily register. According to sources, it is showing presence of an officer in the police station. The evidences which CBI has collected until now are not matching with police investigations. In fact the CBI has doubts that efforts were put in by the police to conceal important facts related to the case. For now the whole investigations has come to a fresh circle.

Investigation From Fresh Start

The infamous Kotkhai gang rape and murder case could witness investigation from a fresh start on the basis of evidences and information gathered from phone call details by the CBI. The CBI is also trying to find out as what was SIT trying to confess from the accused, Nepali Suraj and under whose pressure? According to information, Suraj was not ready to confess till last moment that he raped and murdered the innocent girl.

Factors Raising Doubts

Rajender Raju Spills The Beans

According to sources, the CBI had interrogated pickup driver Rajender alias Raju. On the basis of information gathered from Raju during interrogation, the CBI arrested members of the SIT team. According to sources linked to investigation agency, more arrests could take place in Kotkahi rape and murder case which could lead to bringing this high profile case to limelight again.

DNA Tests Debunk SIT Theory

Results of DNA test have totally debunked the Special investigation Team (SIT) theory. The DNA samples of eight persons collected initially by the police have not matched with the forensic evidence of culprits gathered from the crime scene and the victim’s body. Now these results point to the fact that SIT arrested innocent persons in order to shield the real culprits in the case. The CBI too was heavily banking on the forensic evidence and was awaiting reports of DNA samples of the accused arrested by the SIT. However with DNA tests proving accused arrested in gang rape case clean, the investigations has come a full circle. The CBI may now seek nod to conduct a lie detector tests on arrested cops to crack the case.

Eight Cops Arrested

The CBI has arrested eight police officials including SIT team head Zahur H Zaidi, IG, Welfare and Administration, then Theog DSP Manoj Joshi and SHO Rajender Singh, ASI Deep Chand Sharma, Head Constables Surat Singh, Mohan Lal and Rafiq Ali and Constable Ranjit Streta in connection with custodial death of Suraj.

Protesters Demand Ouster Of DGP

The arrest of SIT team members has once again brought protesters on streets with people gheraoing police headquarters in Shimla. Protesters gathered under the banner of Gudiya Nyaya Manch and demanded ouster of DGP Somesh Goyal and threatened to intensify their protests if the DGP was  not ousted and real culprits in Kotkhai gang rape case are not nabbed. The protesters shouted anti- DGP and anti-CM slogans during protest. However they expressed confidence in the CBI investigation and raised demand to nab the real culprits in this case soon. The protests has found a political patronage too with CPM leaders including Rakesh Singha and Kuldip Tanwar joining the chorus of arresting DGP and Shimla unit of AVBP going a step further in demanding the resignation of Chief Minister.

From Editor-in-Chief’s Desk

There is no denying the fact that Himachal’s image is receiving a dent due to many factors and Kotkhai like incidents further put a blot on its image. Such incidents just before elections give an opportunity to carry out political agenda. And it is also the toughest time for the analysis of any government on the basis of good governance. For now the CBI investigation has put question marks on the clean image of Himachal and people have got moral reason to be skeptic about government’s intentions. Arrest of police SIT marks a positive change in investigation of Kotkhai case for protesters gathering in Shimla seeking justice to the victim. It will be inappropriate to raise a question that CBI investigations are losing direction or some objectives are achieved by maligning the police image. But making a long list of conclusions at this juncture could also be not right. The cruelty meted out to a sixteen years old innocent girl was real sin that has put a black spot on Himachali picture.  It is obvious that picture of legal procedure could change during the journey from police investigation and court’s decision and methods for the same are also adopted. Few changes in the police department also raise some questions like transfers in other departments.

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