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Kotkhai Gudiya Case: Media report challenges probe after CBI charge-sheets single accused
As per a fresh report of a national media channel News18, the accused is alleging four more people involved in the rape and murder of the girl. The channel said it has received this highly sensitive and controversial information through credible inside sources.
Shimla: After the suspense of about 11 months, the Central Bureau of Investigation on May 29, 2018, filed a charge sheet against Anil alias Nilu, a lumberjack, in the case relating to the rape and murder of a 16-year-old schoolgirl in Halaila forest of Kotkhai Tehsil in Shimla district, on July 4, 2016.
The CBI has recommended discharging four accused – Rajendra Singh, Lokjan, Subhash, Deepak and Suraj and Ashish Chauhan- from criminal charges. It said none of these persons, who were arrested by the Himachal Pradesh Police SIT on July 13 in the case, were not involved.
The charge-sheet was filed in a trial court while a fresh status report was also submitted to the State High Court. The court has scheduled the date of next hearing in the case on June 27.
Based on unofficial statements of the CBI sources, it is being believed that the investigation has been closed now.
Moreover, the CBI SIT has filed the charge-sheet against only one person. The charge-sheet contains 28 to 35 pages in which it has been alleged that Nilu spat on the girl, which lead to a quarrel. Following it, Nilu allegedly raped and killed the girl on July 4 – the day she had gone missing while returning from Government Senior Secondary School Mahasu.
The charge-sheet has reportedly documented statements of as many as 60 witnesses.
However, as per a fresh report of a national media channel News18, the accused is alleging four more people involved in the rape and murder of the girl. The channel said it has received this highly sensitive and controversial information through credible sources inside the Kaithu prison facility where the accused was lodged after the arrest.
The report said that the Nilu told other inmates that he was not alone and there were four other people, but the CBI arrested only him.
The report has challenged the claim of the CBI that only one person was involved in the case.
The members of HP Police SIT, which was constituted by the then Director General of Police, Somesh Goyal, including its head then Inspector General of Police, Zahur H Zaidi and then Deputy Superintendent of Police, Manoj Joshi, Theog, were arrested on August 29, 2018, for the alleged custodial killing of one of the person, a Nepalese laborer Suraj Singh it had falsely implicated in the case.
Suraj was killed on the intervening nights of July 18 and 19 while he was locked up at the Police Station, Kotkhai.
Later in 2018, the CBI also arrested the then SP, Shimla, DW Negi, for allegedly hatching the conspiracy to save the accused police officials. The agency has already filed a charge-sheet against these arrested officials.
This is one of the major reasons that the public is not satisfied with the outcome of the CBI inquiry. They argue why the police SIT headed by an IG-level officer would frame innocent people to shield a lumberjack. To influence the investigation, it would take a lot of wealth and influence, they believe, They also question how it was possible for a lumberjack to fool both the CBI for 11 months.
The situation is likely to remain ambiguous until the CBI makes the findings of the probe public explaining the entire chain of events.
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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