Amarinder orders DGP to expedite probe into 6-yr-old’s rape-murder

CHANDIGARH/HOSHIARPUR : Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Friday directed the director general of police (DGP) to expedite the probe into the rape and murder of a sixyear-old girl in Hoshiarpur district, terming the incident as “extremely sad and shocking”.

In a Twitter post, the CM also called for a speedy trial in the case and asked the DGP to present the chargesheet in court promptly.

The 6- year- old Dalit girl’s body was cremated on Friday after post-mortem examination. Punjab Women Commission chairperson Manisha Gulati met the aggrieved family at their house. She said the guilty should be hanged. Two members of the Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes Commission, Gyan Chand and Prabh Dyal, also reached to gather first-hand information. The SC panel has also sought a report from Hoshiarpur senior superintendent of police by October 26.

Chabbewal MLA Raj Kumar and Tanda MLA Sangat Singh Gilzian handed over a cheque of Rs 4.25 lakh to the victim’s parents and assured them that remaining relief amount would be given soon. As per the amended Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, 1995, the state is required to pay minimum compensation of Rs 8.5 lakh to a victim of rape, acid attack or murder.

The girl had gone missing when her parents, who are migrant labourers, were out for work. In the evening, her body was recovered from a haveli at Jalalabad village near Tanda town. The police said after committing the crime, the owner of the haveli and his grandson allegedly set the body on fire to erase evidence. The two were arrested.

The victim’s half-burnt body was recovered.

A case under Section 302 (murder) besides Sections 376-D ( rape) and 201 of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act was registered.