HC orders SIT to probe Uttarkashi rape case

The Uttarakhand High Court today asked the state government to form a special investigation team (SIT) within 48 hours to look into the alleged gang rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in Uttarkashi district.

Taking suo motu cognisance of the recent incident, which has led to a wave of protests in the state, a division bench of Justice Rajiv Sharma and Justice Manoj Tiwariof the high court passed the order.

The court ordered that the minor victim's family be provided adequate security.

The bench suggested that lower courts should fast-track such cases and give speedy judgements.

Reminding the state government of its promise to bring in a legislation making provision for capital punishment for rapists of minors, the court asked when such provisions would be incorporated.

The minor girl was kidnapped from her house before being allegedly gang-raped and killed in Bhakda village of Uttarkashi district on the night of August 17. Four labourers were arrested in connection with the incident.