Rape-murder case: CBI finds gaps in police probe, set to submit interim report on August 2

While CBI has maintained complete confidentiality on the investigation, frequent visits by its teams to Halaila and Dandi forests of Kotkhai, and also the questioning of a leading orchard owner, Anant Ram Negi, has raised hopes about the investigators having collected some material evidence.

Negi was questioned by a team led by SP-rank officer, S S Gurang, in the presence of DIG Jasbir Singh, who has been camping in Shimla to supervise the investigation.

Barring Ashish Chauhan, 29, son of another prominent orchard owner in Kotkhai, all other accused persons were employees of Negi. The vehicle used in the crime also belonged to Negi. The vehicle was used in the crime, and on the fateful day was being allegedly driven by Rajender Singh alias Raju with other four men — Suraj Singh, Deepak, Subhash Singh Bisht and Lokjan alias Chottu — on board.

Sources said that Negi was questioned about the profiles and the whereabouts of his employees on July 4, when the girl went missing in the Halaila forests on her way back home from the school, and also on July 5 and then on July 6, when the body was found.