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Kotkhai CBI Probe: Sentry given police security, CM’s IT Cell grilled
Sentry, Dinesh Sharma, who was on duty at the Kotkhai Police Station on the night accused Suraj was killed in the police custody, is provided with police security as the CBI fears threat to his life.
Shimla: The investigation in the Kotkhai gang rape and murder case is witnessing sudden twists soon after the Central Bureau of Investigation filed a fresh status report in the Himachal Pradesh High Court on August 17, 2017.
CBI has finally reached the IT Cell advisor to the Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh in relation to the pictures of four persons posted on CM’s Facebook page. These photos were later deleted and the four persons were given clean chit by the police.
Edit history of the CM’s FB post shows four images were deleted
Officially CBI has confirmed nothing, but sources say the agency is trying to ascertain the source of these photos. How CM’s IT Cell ended up with posting these photos as suspects and then deleting them? Who sent these photos to the IT Cell?
Reports are coming in that CBI teams have conducted simultaneous raids yesterday on the houses of the persons in these photographs, who were identified as Prashant alias Happy and Ishan. It implies, CBI is keen to establish the relation of the case with these suspects.
CBI fears threat to life of Sentry Dinesh
Another big development in the probe is that the Sentry, Dinesh Sharma, who was on duty at the Kotkhai Police Station on the night accused Suraj was killed in the police custody, is provided with police security as the CBI fears threat to his life.
The Superintendent Police, Shimla, Soumya Sambasivan, confirmed that a constable was deployed for the same.
The statements of Dinesh are said to have put some officers of the HP Police SIT and Shimla Police under the scanner of the CBI. Police had claimed that Raju, a co-accused, had murdered Suraj on the night of June 18, 2017.
The entire staff posted at the police station was suspended next day and riots had erupted in the Kotkhai region. Outraged by the killing of the accused in custody, locals had vandalized and set the police station on fire after chasing away the police personnel.
Contrary to his previous statement, the Sentry reportedly gave CBI a different statement. Dinesh said he was on three-hour duty that night and Raju and Suraj were in the same lockup.
However, Dinesh said he did not see Raju killing Suraj during his duty hours. As per media reports, Dinesh told CBI that Suraj was taken to separate place by the Station House Officer.
When the CBI inquired Dinesh why he had given a different statement previously, he told the agency that his signature was taken on a pre-scripted statement.
His statement is believed to have landed some high-rank State Police officers in serious trouble. Therefore, CBI fear there is a considerable threat to the life of Dinesh.
As per a local Hindi daily, a DSP and ASI, who were investigating the case before the formation of the Special Investigation Team, were taken to Delhi for questioning in connection to the case.
CBI has also filed an appeal in the court for conducting a Narco-analysis test on all accused.
The case is haunting the fate of the ruling government in the upcoming legislative assembly polls and the credibility of the State Police.
Locals and the family of the victim believe the police tried to shield the real culprits and framed some laborers as a piece of meat. The suspicion of the people was fueled after four pictures appeared on the CM’s FB page and one of the accused killed in police custody.
The monsoon session of the assembly has begun on August 22 and the opposition is expected to create rucksack over the Kotkhai case.
Solan—In a shocking incident on Monday, an 18-year-old youth, Pravesh, survived a vicious leopard attack in Sarli village of Arki subdivision. The teenager reportedly fought the leopard for nearly 12 minutes before breaking its jaw, killing the animal on the spot.
Quick Thinking Saved His Life
Pravesh told the media that he was walking from the fields to a nearby shop in the morning to fetch milk when the leopard, hidden in the crops, lunged at him. Noticing the leopard’s tail, he attempted to run but fell after a short distance. During the attack, he covered his neck with his hands to protect himself from fatal bites.
The teenager continued to struggle with the leopard, repeatedly attempting to put distance between himself and the predator. In a desperate move, he grabbed the leopard by its mouth, twisted its jaw, and broke it, killing the animal instantly. Pravesh sustained multiple injuries, including deep claw marks, and is currently receiving treatment at Arki Hospital. Police and forest department teams have launched an investigation into the incident.
Serious Allegations of HP Forest Department’s Negligence
One of Pravesh’s relatives accused the forest department of negligence, noting that similar attacks had occurred in the area previously.
Earlier, a leopard had attempted to attack a scooter rider, who managed to escape. The family said they had informed the forest department on March 6 about potential danger, but no concrete action was taken. Villagers waited for three hours for a forest team to arrive, but none came. When the Block Officer eventually visited, he reportedly told villagers to ensure their own safety. Requests for cages to capture the leopard were also denied, with officials asking for written complaints instead.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast light to moderate rainfall across Himachal Pradesh over the next two weeks, with isolated heavy to very heavy showers likely over the low hills, plains, and adjoining mid-hill regions. While the ongoing monsoon remains vital for agriculture, it also brings an elevated risk of localized flooding and landslides.
Week of August 8–14
Maximum temperatures will range from 22°C to 34°C, depending on elevation—22°C to 28°C in high hills, 26°C to 30°C in mid-hills, and up to 34°C in lower regions. Minimum temperatures are expected to remain near normal, between 12°C and 24°C. Cooler conditions may persist in districts like Kullu and Lahaul-Spiti.
Week of August 15–21
Similar rainfall patterns are expected to continue, with scattered heavy rain episodes. Temperature trends will remain stable, though slightly below-normal maximum temperatures are likely in parts of Lahaul-Spiti, Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu districts.
Outlook for Late August
Rainfall is expected to remain broadly normal, with region-specific variations. Districts such as Kinnaur, Shimla, and Sirmaur may see below-normal precipitation, while Una, Kangra, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, and Solan are likely to receive above-average rainfall. Both maximum and minimum temperatures are forecast to stay close to seasonal norms.
Officials at the Meteorological Centre in Shimla have urged residents and local authorities to remain alert for sudden heavy downpours, which could disrupt road connectivity and trigger landslides—especially along vulnerable hillside routes. Past monsoon episodes have blocked key highways, including routes between Mandi and Kullu and near Banjar, underscoring the ongoing challenges in the region.
This advisory comes as Himachal Pradesh continues to face the dual pressures of sustaining its agriculture-dependent economy while managing the life and infrastructure risks posed by an active monsoon. Continued vigilance and preparedness remain crucial.
SHIMLA | 7 August 2025 –Himachal Pradesh continues to deal with the impacts of the 2025 monsoon season, reporting extensive property damage, loss of lives, and widespread disruptions across the state. According to the official reports from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC), the Department of Revenue, and the India Meteorological Department, from June 20 to August 6, 2025, heavy monsoon rains caused significant damage across multiple districts:
- Casualties: 199 deaths due to landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, lightning, electrocution, and accidents; 304 injuries reported.
- Property Loss: Extensive damage to houses (both pucca and kaccha), shops, factories, labor sheds, animal shelters, and substantial crop losses in agriculture and horticulture.
- Public Infrastructure: Over ₹1,900 crore in damages to roads (including PWD), power supply, health, education, fisheries, rural and urban development, and animal husbandry.
Most affected districts include Mandi, Kangra, and Hamirpur, with severe crop and infrastructure losses.
Additionally, 91 deaths occurred due to monsoon-related road accidents.
Public Utilities and Infrastructure Disruptions
The SEOC report dated August 7, 2025, highlights ongoing disruptions:
- Roads Blocked: About 493 major roads and 3 national highways (NH-305, NH-21, NH-05) remain blocked by landslides and floods.
- Power Supply: Disruption of 1,120 distribution transformers (DTRs).
- Water Supply: 245 water schemes affected, threatening access to potable water for communities.
Key blockages include NH-21 between Mandi and Kullu and NH-305 near Banjar and Jhed.
Weather Forecast and Warnings
The India Meteorological Department’s forecast valid from August 7, 2025, includes:
- Isolated heavy rainfall expected throughout the week.
- Thunderstorms and lightning predicted in isolated areas.
- Minimum temperatures near normal or slightly below.
- Maximum temperatures showing a moderate increase.
The public is urged to remain vigilant due to the risks of further landslides and flash floods.
Himachal Pradesh remains vulnerable as the monsoon season continues, with thousands affected by damage, displacement, and disruption of essential services. Authorities are continuing with rescue and recovery operations and are urging residents to stay alert to the ongoing adverse weather. This situation highlights the pressing need for enhanced infrastructure and disaster management strategies to mitigate monsoon-related risks.
Himachal’s LPG Supply Hit Amid Global Tensions, Likely to Affect Hospitality Industry
Himachal Teen Survives 12-Minute Leopard Attack, Kills Predator in Self-Defense
Weather Forecast for Himachal Pradesh For the Next Two Weeks
Monsoon 2025: Himachal Pradesh Suffers 199 Casualties, Over ₹1,905.50 Cr in Damages
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