Ghaziabad: District authorities have ordered a magisterial inquiry into the encounter of a man accused of raping and murdering his three-year-old niece last month in the trans-Hindon area.An official said the decision was taken in compliance with the National Human Rights Commission, which mandated an independent inquiry in cases of deaths during police action. The probe panel will be headed by Arun Dixit, sub-divisional magistrate (Sadar), Ghaziabad.Officials said the accused, a native of Muzaffarnagar district, was living on rent in Pasonda village under Tila Mod police station limits in Sahibabad when he committed the crime.The encounter took place on April 19 within the jurisdiction of Tila Mod police station between the assistant commissioner of police (crime), the SWAT team of the Ghaziabad police commissionerate’s crime branch, and three criminals.“Police had earlier said that the accused was injured in retaliatory firing after allegedly opening fire on the police team during the operation. He was taken to a hospital in Loni, where he later died during treatment,” said an official.On April 11, the accused had lured the child with the promise of candy while her parents were away. He took her to his rented room, where he raped and strangled her to death. He had then dumped her body under a parked car and fled.The case had sparked outrage in the area. Since the accused was the child’s uncle, TOI is withholding his identity.The administration has issued a public notice appealing to any person connected with the incident to come forward with documentary, oral or any other form of evidence related to the case. Officials said statements and evidence can be submitted in person at Room Nos. 110 and 111 of the SDM (Sadar) office at the Ghaziabad collectorate on any working day within 15 days from the publication of the notice.As per procedure, a public notice was issued on May 15, calling for any information.“Following this, we will visit the spot, carry out inspections, and also conduct an inquiry on the officers involved in the encounters. Thereafter, a report will be submitted to the DM, who will then send it to the NHRC,” the official said.
