CBI Court convicts Himachal IGP and Seven others in Kotkhai custodial death case

Shimla

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Chandigarh on Saturday reportedly found Himachal Pradesh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zahur Haider Zaidi and seven other police personnel guilty in connection with the custodial death of an accused in the infamous 2017 Kotkhai gangrape and murder case.

Former DSP Manoj Joshi, Sub-Inspector (SI) Rajinder Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Deep Chand Sharma, Head Constables Mohan Lal and Surat Singh, Head Constable Rafee Mohammad, and Constable Ranit Sateta are among those found guilty. DW Negi, former Superintendent of Police (SP), was relieved of all charges in the intervening time.

” Vide separate judgment of even date, the accused no.9 (Dandub Wangial Negi @ D.W. Negi) has been acquitted of all the charges framed against him. His bail bonds and surety bonds stands discharged,” read the court order. Adding,” Accused no.1 to accused no.8 have been held guilty for commission of offences punishable under Section 120-B, 302 read with 120- B, 330 read with 120-B, 348 read with 120-B, 195 read with 120-B, 196 read with 120-B, 218 read with 120-B & 201 read with 120-B of Indian Penal Code, “directed the order by Alka Malik, Special Judge CBI Court.

“Till then, convicts namely Zahur Haider Zaidi, Manoj Joshi, Rajinder Singh, Deep Chand Sharma, Mohan Lal, Surat Singh, Rafee Mohammad & Ranjeet Steta, be kept in judicial custody and be produced before this court on 27.01.2025 at 10:00 AM sharp. Their custody warrants be prepared accordingly,” concluded the court order.

On January 27, 2025, the sentence’s quantum will be disclosed.