The postmortem examination in the rape and murder of a 13-year-old girl from Paras Estate in Jalandhar West has confirmed that she was strangled to death.
Doctors found deep ligature marks on her neck, along with nail scratches and friction injuries on her body, pointing to sexual assault and a violent struggle.
Commissionerate Police produced the accused, Harminder Singh alias Rimpi, in court on Thursday. ADCP Harinder Singh Gill and advocate Pankaj Sharma informed that police had sought a 10-day custody, after which the court granted a 9-day remand. Officials said the remand will help investigators recover evidence and question the accused further.
Forensic samples including swabs taken during the postmortem and the accused’s blood sample have been sent to the laboratory for DNA matching. Police said the DNA report will play a major role in the case.
Investigators are also searching for the accused’s missing mobile phone, which reportedly went missing during the mob assault on him after the girl’s body was discovered.
Police teams have been deployed to trace the device, which is believed to contain crucial evidence.
ADCP Gill said that the investigation against ASI Mangat Ram will continue. The officer was dismissed earlier after failing to locate the girl during an initial search at the accused’s house, despite locals insisting she had last been seen entering the premises.
A case under the POCSO Act and other relevant BNS sections has been registered. Police said more details are expected during the course of the remand as questioning intensifies.