Kathua rape: Accused's signature doesn't match with exam attendance sheet
What's the story
The signature of Vishal Jangotra, an accused in rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua in January, doesn't match the one which he claimed to have signed in an exam attendance sheet in Meerut on January 15, stated Central Forensic Sciences Laboratory (CFSL) report.
The accused claimed that he was in Meerut and had never visited Kathua when the crime was committed.
Information
Crime branch issued notice to accused's friends
The Crime Branch, meanwhile, issued notices to all the three friends of Vishal for appearing before it for questioning tomorrow after the Supreme Court gave a go-ahead on May 17 for their further examination. The three friends are Sachin, Neeraj, and Sahil.
Signature
Signature on exam sheet was done by Vishal's friends
The crime branch had sent the attendance sheet to CFSL for having an opinion.
According to probe, the signature was done by Vishal's friend as his train from Jammu to Meerut was late and he had reached Meerut after the examination was over, officials said.
Expert of handwriting samples, "Questioner of Examined Documents" said attendance sheet's signature didn't match with that of accused.
Investigation
Crime Branch searching people who signed on behalf of Vishal
The crime branch has already expanded its investigations into the gang rape and murder case to nail the people who had signed an attendance register on behalf of Vishal at the Meerut College.
The accused's friend had approached the Supreme Court alleging harassment by the crime branch.
But, the apex court ruled in favor of Crime Branch on May 17.
Witnesses
Relatives of witnesses can accompany them during investigation, says SC
The SC also said, "A relative of each of the witnesses shall be allowed to accompany him, but the said relative shall not enter into the investigation room. However, he shall remain at a reasonably visible distance."
While making this concession, the apex court made it clear that these directions "should not remotely be inferred that there is any kind of harassment by agency."
Kidnapping
Girl was kidnapped to drive away nomads from Kathua region
In its charge sheet, the crime branch had mentioned that some officials of the university had allegedly received "huge amount at kickback from accused Sanji Ram".
The charge sheet also claimed that Sanji Ram, who has been termed as the main conspirator, had planned the kidnapping of the girl only to drive away nomads from the Kathua region.
Information
Vishal tried to create alibi of absence from crime scene
The crime branch has alleged in the charge sheet that Vishal tried to create an alibi of his absence from the crime scene by allegedly "resorting to manipulation of records and creation of false evidence with the connivance and assistance of his father Sanji Ram."
Details
Girl was kidnapped on January 10 and murdered on 14
Vishal has been charged by the crime branch of raping and helping in the murder of minor girl along with a juvenile (main accused and a relative of Sanji Ram) and special police officer Deepak Khajuria.
She was kidnapped on January 10 and her body was recovered on January 17. She was murdered on January 14 and her body had been dumped in jungles.