High Court Flags Serious Errors in Probe of 13‑Year‑Old Girl’s Unnatural Death

A nearly decade‑old case involving the unnatural death of a 13‑year‑old girl has been transferred to the CBI after the Bombay High Court found multiple lapses and investigative errors, including ignored evidence and unresolved leads

Mumbai| February 21, 2026: The Bombay High Court has directed a fresh and independent investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into the unnatural death of a 13‑year‑old girl after identifying numerous errors and lapses in the earlier probe, which spanned over a decade. The ruling came in response to a long‑standing petition by the victim’s father challenging the original investigation, which had concluded the death to be accidental despite significant forensic indicators suggesting otherwise.

The case dates back to August 2010, when the young girl was reported swept away by a stream during a school camp near Tungareshwar forest. Her unclothed body was later found, but initial inquiries classified the incident as an accidental death. However, forensic experts involved in the original post‑mortem examination noted evidence that the girl had been sexually assaulted within 24 hours before her death a critical finding that was not adequately integrated into the investigative narrative at the time.

In its recent order, the High Court observed that “too many loose ends” in the original investigation warranted a transfer of the probe to a federal agency. The bench highlighted that multiple aspects were either overlooked or inadequately pursued, including the serious possibility of rape followed by murder, the absence of a rigorous examination of how the body became unclothed, and a failure to properly trace or interview key witnesses who first found the body. The court also criticised the reliance on statements from doctors who did not directly perform the autopsy, instead of prioritising the opinions of the medical experts who had firsthand examined the body.

The High Court’s decision emphasised that the investigation’s foundation was flawed, as investigators placed undue emphasis on incomplete videorecordings and second‑hand interpretations of medical findings, rather than fully analysing the original post‑mortem report. This report contained a clear medical opinion indicating sexual assault, which was crucial evidence that could have shaped the direction of the probe if properly considered.

Given the passage of time the incident occurred nearly 16 years ago the court acknowledged the challenge of reconstructing events. Nonetheless, it concluded that unresolved questions and evidence gaps require a thorough and impartial federal inquiry, potentially leading to new lines of investigation and accountability. The father’s petition, originally filed in 2014, has now culminated in a judicial directive for the CBI to take over the investigation.

Law enforcement sources indicate that the CBI will re‑examine all available forensic data, witness testimonies, and procedural records to build a clearer picture of the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death. The transfer order signals judicial impatience with the earlier handling of the case and underscores the importance of rigorous evidence‑based investigation in sensitive matters involving child victims.

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