Girl’s father, NGOs want case to be taken away from CBI

SHIMLA: The rape and murder of a 16-year-old schoolgirl in Kotkhai in July 2017 is back in the spotlight after two forensic experts testified in a Chandigarh court last week that more than one person was involved in the crime.

Though the case was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation after a police probe, the girl’s father and two Shimlabased non-government organisations on Tuesday called for a fresh investigation.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, NGO Madad Seva Trust member Vikas Thapta said, “A judicial probe is needed as the CBI investigation ignored many aspects that led to the arrest of only a woodcutter. The testimony of the two forensic experts has raised questions about the CBI probe.”

“The PMO marked a letter to the state government. The state home department replied that the CBI was investigating the matter,” he said.

The rape victim’s father, who is a farmer, said: “From Day 1, I’ve been saying more than one person was involved. I’m not satisfied either with the police or the CBI investigation. The government should reinvestigate the case. I firmly believe all those who raped my daughter were drug addicts.”

Stating that the Shimla police had uploaded photos of five accused on its Facebook account only to delete them, he said, “The probe has been influenced. There’s a conspiracy. Police and investigating agencies are playing into the hands of bigwigs. The real culprits should be hanged.”

Another local NGO, the Gudiya Nyay Manch, has sought a reinvestigation.