Shimla police have apprehended two Nepalese nationals, Lalit Rana (alias Laxman Rana, 20) and Shahbir Luvar (21), in connection with the murder of Rakesh Pratap (36), also a Nepal native, in the Chirgaon area.
The body of Rakesh Pratap was discovered near the Pabbar River on February 18, prompting an immediate investigation by local authorities. Police found that the victim had suffered severe head injuries from a sharp-edged weapon.
Senior Superintendent of Police Shimla, Gaurav Singh, stated that CCTV footage and digital evidence revealed the accused had spent the day with the victim, consuming alcohol. They lured him to the riverbank under the pretext of drinking further, where a minor dispute escalated into a violent assault. The accused attacked Rakesh with stones and a sharp weapon, leading to his death.
Following the murder, the perpetrators mutilated the victim’s face and destroyed his phone to conceal his identity. Using intelligence and tracking digital footprints, police traced the accused to Kasol and Manikaran in Kullu and successfully arrested them.
Authorities have urged residents to register tenants and migrant laborers with the nearest police station to prevent similar incidents in the future. Investigation into the case is ongoing.
