Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government on Wednesday transferred three members of the police Special Investigation Team (SIT) which was probing the rape and murder of a school girl, including its chief, IG (southern range) ZH Zaidi.
The move comes after a man held in the case was killed by another accused in police custody. The rape and murder has sparked public outcry in the state, with the role of the police coming in for much criticism.
The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Wednesday handed over the investigation into the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Zaidi has been now posted as IG (Welfare and Administration), Police Headquarters, Shimla.
Ajay Yadav (IG Central Range Mandi), has been given additional charge of the southern range.
Sirmaur SP Soumya Sambasivan has been posted as the Shimla SP replacing DW Negi, who has been appointed as SP (Vigilance and anti corruption Bureau).
Kinnaur SP Rohit Malpani will be the new Sirmaur SP while Assistant IG (Shimla) Gurdev Sharma has been appointed to his post.
Additional SP (Shimla) Bhajan Dev Negi has been told to report at the police headquarters for further posting.
The girl, a student of class X, was raped and murdered in the Kotkhai area of Shimla district after she took a lift in a vehicle, according to the police.
The victim's body was recovered from the nearby Halila forest two days later.
Six persons were arrested in connection with the case.
According to the police officials, last night two of the accused -- Nepalese man Suraj and one Rajendra -- had a heated argument.
Rajendra allegedly banged Suraj's head against a wall, leading to his death, a police official said.
Following the incident, a mob went on a rampage, ransacking a police station and pelting policemen with stones.
