Convict In School Girl Rape-Murder Case Sentenced For Life: Timeline Of Events

The Central Investigation Bureau's (CBI) Special Court announced life imprisonment for the lone accused of the Kotkhai rape-murder of a 16-year-old girl on June 18. Here is a timeline of the case that grabbed national attention.

Trigger Warning: This article has mentions of sexual assault and graphic details.

The special court sentenced the convict to life imprisonment and an additional fine of Rs 10,000. Here is a timeline of the Kotkhai rape-murder of a school student.

• A 16-year-old class 10 student went missing while returning from a sports tournament.
• Two days later, her clothless body was found by the local cops in a ditch in the forest, with her clothes lying around.
• According to autopsy reports, it was confirmed that she was raped before murder.
• The State police initially arrested six suspects in the case.
• On April 28, the court held accused Anil Kumar alias Nilu guilty of rape and murder of the minor girl. Nilu, who is a woodcutter by profession, was convicted under Sections 376 (2) (i), 376 (A), and 302 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 4 of the POCSO Act.
• The CBI said that on the day of the crime, Nilu consumed liquor in the afternoon and was under influence. He encountered the girl on a deserted route. He had a dispute with her, following which he dragged her into the adjoining forest and raped her. He later choked and killed her.
• Nilu's blood sample matched with the semen found on the private parts and clothes of the minor girl. Other pieces of evidence such as soil samples and bite marks also hinted at Nilu committing the crime.
• The court trial was presented with a total of fifty-nine witnesses.
• Out of 14 crucial points of evidence, twelve were found to be against the accused.
• District and sessions judge and special judge of the CBI court Rajiv Bharadwaj also imposed a fine of ₹10,000 on the accused, failing which he would have to undergo one year of imprisonment.