CBI takes up probe in Shimla gang rape case

The CBI on Saturday took up the sensational gang rape and murder case of a school girl in Shimla that has led to massive protests in the hill state.

The investigation agency said it has registered two cases on the July 19 orders of the Himachal Pradesh High Court in connection with the gang rape and murder of the girl and into the custodial death of an accused.

"On order dated July 19 of the Himachal Pradesh High Court, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the investigation of murder and rape of a minor girl in Shimla," the agency said in a statement.

The investigating agency said that it has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT), which has left for the crime scene in the state.

The agency's action comes in the wake of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the state High Court. The HC ordered a CBI probe into the case on July 19.

The 16-year-old girl was kidnapped and gang-raped on July 4 after she was offered a lift in a vehicle by the accused when she was returning home from school.

On the way, the accused gang-raped and murdered her in a nearby forest. Her body was found two days later by police from Halaila forests of Kotkhai.

The autopsy report mentioned injuries on the girl's body.

Earlier, the police arrested six accused in connection with the case. The arrested accused have been identified as Rajinder Singh, who offered her the lift, Ashish Chauhan, Subhash Bisht, Deepak Kumar, Surat Singh and Lokjan.

However, a new twist in the case came after Rajinder Singh allegedly murdered a fellow accused Surat Singh in the police lock-up in Shimla on July 19.

Following the gang rape of the girl, people held massive protests in Himachal Pradesh. The family of the victim alleged that the 'real culprits', who belong to high-profile families, have gotten away 'scot-free'.

Last week, the state government agreed to recommend a CBI probe into the case.

--IANS

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