Father of ‘sacrificed’ child moves court to reopen probe into her death

Khan in her report had said that the head of the child was found neatly placed near her left arm which rules out decapitation owing to rodent activity. “As per standard anatomical position chart,the torso is with its anterior surface facing the ground indicating possible force applied to put the body in that position.” Khan had also suggested that the case calls for a multidisciplinary team of experts for conclusive investigation.

Earlier,the court had handed over the investigation to the Crime Branch which,Rai said in his application,“kindled some hope in the mind of the applicant that finally the perpetrators of the heinous crime may be brought to book”. However,his petition seeking a CBI inquiry was subsequently dismissed by the court.

Rai in his application said,“Due to this premature stoppage of investigation,the Crime Branch,Mumbai,has not conducted any further probe in the absence of court directions.” Going through the trauma of losing his daughter,Rai said he was unable to move the court sooner since he was not aware that it was possible to restore his petition. Stating that a lot remains to be investigated to nail the killers,he has sought the restoration of his petition. His lawyer Ashish Chavan said it is likely to be heard by the court when it resumes after vacation.

Rai’s earlier petition had said that a 10-year-old boy had informed his wife that Shreya was seen with a neighbour near a temple in the vicinity. Though the police arrested the neighbour for kidnapping,he was released after his lawyers argued he is a minor. His relative,the petition said,is the temple’s head priest.