IGP Among 8 Convicted for Kotkhai Custodial Death

Quantum of sentence to be pronounced on January 27; a Nepalese had died in custody in July 2017 when cops were investigating a rape-murder case

- Aneesha Sareen Kumar

CHANDIGARH: A CBI court in Chandigarh on Saturday convicted eight cops, including 1994-batch IPS officer of the Himachal Pradesh cadre IG Zahur Haider Zaidi, in Kotkhai custodial death case of 2017.

Among the convicts are DSP Manoj Joshi, the then station house officer (sub-inspector) Rajinder Singh, ASI Deep Chand Sharma, head constables Mohan Lal, Surat Singh and Rafee Mohammad and constable Ranjeet Steta. Out on bail, they were taken into judicial custody after the judgment was pronounced. The quantum of sentence will be pronounced on January 27.

One of the accused, former SP Dandub Wangial Negi alias DW Negi has been acquitted of all charges. The families of all eight police officers/officials broke down in court when the orders were pronounced by the CBI court of special judge Alka Malik. As police took them into judicial custody, additional force was called for security arrangements.

IG Zahur Haider Zaidi was suspended after the registration of FIR against him. His suspension was revoked in January 2023 by the Himachal Pradesh Governor.