SANJAY KAROL,J. - (1.) On the basis of news reports, dated 1.5.2017, 15.7.2017 and 16.7.2017, all published in Punjab Kesari, to the effect that a girl child, aged 8 years, was raped and then murdered in District Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, this Court took suo moto cognizance and issued notice to the State. Also, an Amicus was appointed to assist the Court.
(2.) Since 25.7.2017, this Court has been monitoring the status of investigation. Learned Amicus points out that the investigation carried out, thus far, is fair, in accordance with law and in the right direction.
(3.) Status report filed on 27.7.2017 reveals that on 30.4.2017, at about 8.24 a.m., a telephonic call was received at Police Station, Bhuntar, that one girl is lying in an unconscious condition on the banks of river Beas near Trehan Chowk, Bhuntar. Immediately, HC Mukesh Kumar and lady Constable Lata Devi rushed to the spot. The girl was shifted to Regional Hospital, Kullu. She was identified by her father Prakash Chand, from whose statement, so recorded under the provisions of Section 154 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, it was revealed that the family originally hailed from village Mohabhoj, P.O. Kathoura, Tehsil Musafirkhana, District Amethi, U.P., and was temporarily residing in a slum near Bhootnath Temple, Bhuntar, District Kullu. Girl was a minor, aged between 8 and 10 years. According to the father, on 29.4.2017, at about 4 p.m., she had left the place where they were residing and when she did not return till 7 p.m., they started searching for her. On 30.4.2017, he learnt from a boy about the girl being shifted to the Regional Hospital, Kullu.;