A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Chandigarh sentenced HP Inspector General of Police (IGP) Zahoor Zaidi and seven other police personnel to life imprisonment on Monday for their involvement in the custodial death of Suraj, a Nepali laborer. The incident occurred during the investigation into the 2017 gang rape and murder of a minor girl, known as “Gudia,” in the Kotkhai area of Shimla district.
The convicted police personnel include Manoj Joshi (DSP, Theog), SI Rajinder Singh, ASI Deep Chand Sharma, HHC Mohan Lal, HHC Surat Singh, HC Rafee Mohammad, and Constable Ranit Sateta.
Details of the Conviction
CBI Special Judge Alka Malik sentenced the eight police officers to life imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹20,000 on each of them. The court also awarded compensation to Suraj’s family under the Victim Compensation Act.
The charges against the convicted individuals included:
- Section 120-B (Criminal Conspiracy)
- Section 302 (Murder) read with 120-B
- Section 330 (Causing Hurt to Extort Confession) read with 120-B
- Section 348 (Wrongful Confinement)
- Section 195 (Fabricating False Evidence) read with 120-B
- Section 196 (Using False Evidence) read with 120-B
- Section 218 (Public Servant Framing False Record) read with 120-B
- Section 201 (Causing Disappearance of Evidence) read with 120-B
Background of the Case
The incident stems from the infamous 2017 Kotkhai gang rape and murder case, which sparked widespread protests across Himachal Pradesh. The victim, a minor girl, went missing on July 4, 2017. Her body was found in a forest two days later, leading to public outrage and demands for justice.
A Special Investigating Team (SIT), led by IGP Zahoor Zaidi, was formed to probe the case. The SIT arrested six individuals on suspicion. During interrogation, Suraj, one of the suspects in police custody, died under suspicious circumstances. Initially, the police claimed another accused, Rajinder, had killed Suraj. However, investigations revealed that Suraj died due to police torture, leading to charges against Zaidi and other officers.
CBI Investigation
Following the public uproar, the Himachal Pradesh government handed the case over to the CBI. The agency found that the accused officers had destroyed crucial evidence and fabricated reports to falsely implicate Rajinder in Suraj’s custodial death.
On January 18, the CBI court convicted the eight police personnel, holding them guilty under Sections 120-B and 302 of the Indian Penal Code. Former Shimla Superintendent of Police (SP) D.W. Negi, who was also an accused, was acquitted.
Aftermath
All convicted police personnel have been taken into custody and are currently lodged in Punjab’s Burail Jail.
This case remains a grim reminder of the misuse of authority and highlights the need for accountability within the police force.
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zahoor was a decorated officer . I guess he succumbed to the pressure of his then political bosses and was re instated as a reward for shielding big wigs .. it’s sad but finally the long arm of the law catches up .