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Shimla Rape Case: No Evidence of Kidnapping, says Police, Girl Also Backtracks From Statement
Shimla-In the case of alleged kidnapping and rape of a 19-year-old girl in Shimla city on Sunday night, police has claimed that no evidence of the kidnapping was found. Police claimed that it went through footages of various CCTV installed along the Sanjauli-Bhattakufar road to trace the vehicle in which the victim was allegedly raped. Police claimed that the girl was seen walking along the road alone and no car is visible abducting her.
As shocker, the victim has also backtracked from her complaint. As per reports, she withdrew her allegations of abduction and rape in her statement given before the Magistrate on Tuesday.
“Sources said that the girl has stated before the magistrate that nothing had happened with her and she had lodged a false complaint. When the police showed her the footage of CCTV cameras from four locations, she admitted to have gone towards the school at Bhattakuffar voluntarily at night around 9:15 pm from Dhalli tunnel,”
reported Times of India.
The report added,
“She said that on Sunday, she had gone to Lakkar Bazaar police post only to get the number of “Gudiya helpline” and not to lodge the complaint of a possible stalking by a person.”
As per a media report, the girl and her brother, who had arrived in Shimla from Haryana after receiving news of the incident, were not talking to media.
It’s pertinent to mention that, an FIR was filed on Monday under Sections 354 A (sexual harassment), 376 (rape), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 366 (kidnapping) of the IPC on the statement of the girl. Initially, the medical examination of the girl at the Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, had confirmed that she was raped. However, police claimed that the second opinion was being taken on the report of the medical examination as it was not satisfied with it. However, police did not disclose any details regarding the second opinion.
Also, there was no word over a Magisterial probe that was ordered to look into girl’s complaint that officials at Lakkar Bazaar police post had not filed a complaint when she had approached it on the evening of Sunday. As per reports, the findings of the Magisterial probe would not be made public.
Earlier, as per the FIR filed at Dhalli police station on Monday, the girl had stated that she was returning home on Sunday, at around 10 pm, when she was allegedly dragged into a car and raped in a moving car in the Bhattakufar area by three unknown men. She was, as per her statement, dumped on the road in a half-naked condition as her clothes were torn. Following it, the girl had reported the incident on the “Gudiya helpline” number.
The DGP R.S. Mardi had ordered formation of an eight-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Tuesday to probe the case. Also, a Magisterial probe by ADM was also ordered to probe dereliction of duty by officials at Lakkar Bazaar police post.
Despite the withdrawal of her complaint, the police said, SIT would continue its investigation. The girl was said to be staying with her aunt in the Bhattakufar area. She was taking coaching for an entrance exam. As per a report on News 18, the girl was a bright student and had obtained over 90 percent marks in her plus two exams and had also cleared the NEET exam.
After this twist in the case, oppositions are alleging that this case is being hushed up as it was exposing laxity of the police department and the state government towards the safety of women.
After coming to power in 2017, the Chief Minister Jairam Thakur had launched “Gudiya helpline” following the gruesome Kotkhai rape and murder case of a 16-year-old. During his tenure, he had been maintaining that women are safer in the state under his governance. Moreover, women safety was a major poll agenda.
His claims of women safety were being challenged after this alleged case of rape in moving car came into light. The state is bound to go to polls on May 19, 2019, for Lok Sabha Elections; hence, the case had given ammunition to opposition parties to launch an attack on the ruling government.
Opposition Congress is already on roads protesting against the alleged case and had also demanded the dismissal of the current government through a memorandum submitted to the President via Governor Acharya Devvrat.
The opposition is also demanding that the probe should be conducted under the supervision of the State High Court as the government and police could try to hush it up considering dent to its image ahead of polling.
The public is finding this sudden U-turn hard to digest and raising doubts that it is possible the girl might be facing pressure or threats from the police or government to withdraw her complaint. Speculations are also being made about the involvement of high-profile persons in the case.
Further, police was tight-lipped over it, and the DGP had told media,
We don’t want to disclose anything since it will hamper our investigation. We have ordered a magisterial probe on the information that she had approached the police (at Lakkar Bazar but didn’t receive much help from the police there). I will wait for the report to come out before making further statements.”
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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