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Kotkhai Gudiya Case Verdict: Life Imprisonment to Convict, But Parents Say Real Culprits Still Roaming Free
Shimla–Kotkhai’s Gudiya case has officially concluded for now as the lone accused of raping and murdering a schoolgirl was sentenced to life imprisonment on June 18. For the CBI and the court, justice is served, but not for Gudiya’s parents and several locals, who had already approached the Himachal Pradesh High Court with a plea to re-open the case.
On Friday, District and Session Judge, Shimla, Rajive Bharadwaj (also special judge CBI court) pronounced the sentence and imposed a fine of Rs. 10,000 on the convict.
Earlier, on April 18, 2021, based on the investigation and evidence presented by CBI, the special CBI court had found Anil Kumar alias Neelu – a woodcutter- guilty of raping and murdering a 16-year-old girl, who was returning home from school on July 4, 2017.
However, the parents of Gudiya expressed disappointment and said the CBI had washed its hands off but justice still has not been delivered. They maintained that this heinous crime was committed by more than one person. The parents said they would continue to fight a legal battle to get justice for their daughter.
The court found at least 12 out of 14 points of evidence given by the CBI against the accused. His DNA match with the sample taken from the crime spot was considered one of the most crucial pieces of evidence.
A total of 59 witnesses were produced by the CBI.
Neelu was convicted under Sections 376 (2) (i), 376 (A), and 302 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 4 of the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The court observed that the crime was committed in the spur of the moment. The convict came across the girl while she was on her way home from school through a path in the Haliailla forest of Kotkhai and committed the crime.
Neelu, however, told media that he was innocent and was framed by the CBI. He labelled serious allegations against CBI including threats to his life. He told News 18 that threats were given to him that he would be killed like Suraj, one of the accused killed in police custody on July 18, 2017. He even said that his mother was taken hostage in order to frame him. He said he would approach the higher courts to challenge this verdict.
Known as the Kotkhai Gudiya rape and murder case, the case had created a stir for several reasons and led to widespread anger and protest. The biggest was the alleged botched-up investigation by a Special Investigative Team headed by Inspector General, Southern Range, Zaidi where six persons were falsely framed and one of them was killed in custody. The killed person was identified as Suraj – a Nepalese labourer.
This led to violent protests and clashes of protestors with police. A police station in Kotkhai was set ablaze by a mob of locals. Under tremendous pressure, the case was handed over to the CBI in July. A team of CBI lodged two separate FIRs – one in the case relating to the rape and murder of the minor girl and the second in the custodial killing.
On August 29, CBI arrested IG Zaidi, DSP Manoj Joshi and six other police personnel for framing innocent persons and killing one of them in police custody. Another shocker came on November 16 when then Superintendent of Police, DW Negi, was also arrested over charges of filing fake cases in the custodial killing of Suraj.
The CBI told the court that the remaining five accused arrested by the SIT were innocent and were falsely framed and tortured.
The CBI team investigated for the next eleven months without any success. For this delay in investigation, the agency faced backlash from the state high court. Ultimately, disappointed with the CBI, the court questioned the competence of CBI and asked its Director to appear personally before it.
Immediately after this summons, CBI claimed to had cracked the case in which a woodcutter was arrested. The case was considered to be closed thereafter.
In the court, the investigation concluded successfully, however, parents and locals still express doubts that this CBI investigation was botched up.
Another mystery that wasn’t investigated was that on the evening of July 11, pictures of four youths were posted on then Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh’s official Facebook page with an update regarding the SIT probe. The update had said the police nabbed these four suspects (shown in those pictures) in the Gudiya case. The post was however, deleted after a few minutes later and it was termed as a technical glitch.
File Screenshot of Deleted photos
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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