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CBI’s official statement on how it solved Shimla’s Gudiya case
Shimla: Amid the chatter among the people regarding the authenticity of the arrest made after an investigation in the rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl, a resident of Shirgul in Kotkhai Tehsil of Shimla district, Central Bureau of Investigation has released an official media statement regarding the case.
The CBI is gathering a lot of appreciation in the national media as it told the media that it was a painstaking and sensitive case and that CBI teams worked day & night for the last nine months to finally crack the case.
The case was filed under the Police Station of Kotkhai.
The agency claimed it arrested the accused, who was identified as a resident of Baijnath Tehsil of Kangra, on April 13, 2018.
After thorough interrogation, on April 25, he was produced before the Designated Court and was remanded to Judicial Custody till May 2018, said the official statement.
In the instant case, it was alleged that the victim had left Government Senior Secondary School, Mahashu on July 4, 2017, at about 4:30 PM. She did not reach home and her dead body was recovered on July 6, 2017, from the forest area of Hailalla, Kotkhai.
CBI said it instituted an elaborate investigation and also announced a reward of Rs.10 lakh to anyone from the general public for providing credible information resulting in the arrest of real culprits.
After taking over the case, CBI formed separate teams including SP, ASP, DSP, Inspectors, and other supporting staff who were continuously camped in the region, the agency said.
The team started by thoroughly combing the various areas including forests where the body of the victim was found and questioned over one thousand people in this sparsely populated region.
The CBI said, its team collected around 250 blood samples and its CFSL experts conducted various scientific tests including DNA profiling by using advance techniques of percentage match’ and ‘lineage match’.
After thorough examining of these scientific tests, the DNA profiles extracted from samples seized from the scene of the crime were matched with the DNA samples.
The area of investigation included Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir and Uttarakhand etc.
It was also alleged that the arrested accused did not carry any mobile phone and was not in touch with his family but CBI kept watch on certain people whom he could call from public phones or phones of the other people.
The agency further claimed that subsequently, the suspect was tracked and apprehended from a Village near Hatkoti.
The agency maintained that the Director CBI, Alok Kumar Verma has been monitoring the progress of the case from day one. He expressed satisfaction at the work done by the investigative team and forensic experts of CFSL, CBI, for solving a sensitive and difficult case.
The agency said the further investigation into the case would continue.
Other Details Regarding the Case
CBI had registered two cases on July 22, 2017, on the orders dated July 19, 2017 of Hon’ble High Court of Himachal Pradesh, in CWPIL No.88 of 2017 and taken over the investigation of FIR No. 97 of 2017 dated July 6, 2017, under Sections 302, 376 of IPC & Section 4 of POCSO Act registered earlier at Police Station, Kotkhai, District Shimla relating to rape & murder of a minor girl.
The agency took over another FIR No. 101 of 2017 dated July 19, 2017, U/S 302 of IPC earlier registered at Police Station, Kotkhai relating to the custodial death of one of the accused arrested by Local Police in connection with the investigation of said FIR No. 97 of 2017.
The Himachal Pradesh Police had earlier arrested six accused in this case. Out of these six, one had died under alleged mysterious circumstances in police custody for which separate FIR No. 101/2017 was registered by local police, the agency said.
After taking over the investigation, CBI had arrested nine Police officials of Himachal Pradesh including then Inspector General of Police, Southern Range; then SP, Shimla; then DSP (SDOP), Theog; a Sub-Inspector & then SHO, Kotkhai; an ASI; three Head Constables and one Constable, all working in Himachal Pradesh on 29.08.2017 in a case relating to custodial death of one of the then accused Suraj Singh.
All the said arrested accused are presently in Judicial Custody.
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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