Vandiperiyar murder: BJP women's wing protests alleged probe failures
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Thiruvananthapuram: Members of the BJP Mahila Morcha staged a protest at the official residence of DGP Sheikh Darvesh Sahib in Thiruvananthapuram, expressing dissatisfaction with the police investigation into the rape and murder case of a six-year-old girl in Vandiperiyar, Idukki.
A special fast-track court handling cases under the POCSO Act had acquitted the accused, citing the prosecution's failure to establish conclusive evidence linking the accused to the crime. "Prosecution failed to establish all the circumstances which are consistent with the guilt of the accused and inconsistent with his innocence," said the court.
The protestors forcibly entered the premises, raising concerns and slogans regarding the investigation's integrity. Despite police presence attempting to deter them, the Mahila Morcha activists persisted with their demonstration.
Subsequently, women police officials arrived and removed the protesters from the site, leading to their arrest. The DGP was reportedly present during the protest.
The activists, during their removal, pleaded for support from the women police officers to seek justice for the victim.
The case dates back to June 30, 2021, when the child was found dead inside her home. Initially categorised as unnatural death, subsequent autopsy reports confirmed the child had been sexually assaulted before her death.
The court criticised the investigating officer's sluggish approach and criticised the inadequate collection of evidence, affecting the timely procurement of vital information in the case.
"The unscientific way of collecting evidence without showing the shrewdness and intelligence reasonably expected from an investigating officer seriously affected the prompt and timely collection of evidence in the case," said the verdict.
Following the acquittal, opposition parties denounced the police, highlighting perceived flaws in the investigation. The Kerala police announced plans to appeal the court's decision in the case.