Jammu, Dec 14 : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today gave a clean chit to the accused in the Shopian rape and murder case, denying that the two women had been raped before being killed.

In its final report submitted to the Jammu and Kashmir High Court, the CBI said 22-year-old Neelofar and her sister-in-law Aasiya had drowned.

Earlier this year, the Shopian incident had sparked off an agitation in Kashmir. Protesters are demanding that those responsible for the rape and murder be brought to justice.

On September 12, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court had granted bail to the four policemen who were accused of having a role in the case.

The policemen - Former Superintendent of Police of Shopian Javed Iqbal Mattoo, Deputy Superintendent of Police Rohit Baskota, Station House Officer Shopian Shafiq Ahmed and Sub-inspector Gazi Abdul Rehman - were released on payment of a bond of Rs. 50, 000 each.

The four had been accused of destroying evidence related to the case. (ANI)