Kothkai Rape-Murder Case: Himachal Pradesh Court Gives Life Sentence To Convict

Kothkai Rape-Murder Case: Central Bureau of Investigation's special court in Himanchal Pradesh on Friday sentenced the convict of the Kothkai rape and murder to life imprisonment. The convict had rape and murder a 16-year-old schoolgirl in April.

After forensic proof of his crime, the accused was convicted on April 28 of raping and killing the girl, he was charged under section 4 of the POCSO Act, and IPC's section 376 (a), 376(2) (i) and 302. He has also been fined an amount of ₹10,000 by sessions judge Rajiv Bharadwaj of CBI court.

Out of the 14 pieces of evidence presented by CBI, 12 of them were found to be against the accused. His DNA matched sample had matched the semen found on the private parts of the deceased girl. The soil samples on his clothes were also similar to those found near the minor girl's body. According to the court, the girl had bite mark on her body which matched with the dentures of the convict. Over fifty-nine witnesses were presented in court.

Kothkai Rape-Murder Case:

According to the chargesheet submitted by the CBI, the accused had consumed alcohol and encountered the minor girl coming back from school on a route. He dragged her into the forest and raped her. The CBI said that the man strangled and smothered the girl and left the scene.

Since the accused had left his liquor bottle behind, the CBI was able to track him with the help of sellers in the area. One of the key witnesses who identified the accused was a widow whom the convict had assaulted a few days later killing the minor girl.

The Kothkai rape-murder case made headlines many times recently. One of the six accused persons arrested in the case had died in police custody. The case had gained the attention of the people as they demanded justice, it was when the case of handed over to the CBI.