The Special Judge (POCSO), Shimla, on Friday, sentenced accused Anil Kumar alias Nilu to undergo life imprisonment till remainder of his natural life and imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 in the case related to rape and murder of a minor girl at Kotkhai (Himachal Pradesh).
The CBI had registered the case on July 22, 2017 following an order by the Himachal Pradesh High court. The case related to allegations of rape and murder of a minor girl in the forest of Halaila, Kotkhai. Six persons were arrested by the local police in the case.
The case was being monitored by the High Court through the status reports which were placed before it from time to time. During investigation, it was found that the victim was raped and murdered by the accused Anil who was also known by aliases NiIu and Kamlesh (a woodcutter/Chirani by profession).
“The case was very challenging and blind, involving public sentiments. There was no eye witness in this case. Scene of the crime was in a dense forest with the least human encroachment. The accused did not belong to the area of scene of crime and also frequently changed his location after the said crime.
The involvement of the accused in the crime was established through DNA profiling, along with other evidence,” the CBI said in a statement.
After thorough investigation, the agency filed a chargesheet in the court of Special Judge (POCSO), Shimla against the accused Anil Kumar. CBI investigation also revealed that the six accused arrested by the State Police earlier, were not found involved in the crime.
After considering all the oral, documentary, scientific, medical and circumstantial evidence on record, the trial court found the said accused guilty and convicted him on April 28 but the quantum of punishment was pronounced on Friday.