Kerala: BJP, CPI protest over accused's acquittal in rape-murder case

Protests have erupted in Kerala over the recent acquittal of the three accused in the 2017 rape and murder case of two minor girls. Student wings from CPI and BJP protested outside the Secretariat in Thiruvanthapuram demanding justice over the acquittal of the accused in the rape and murder of the girls. The three accused – V Madhu (27), M Madhu (27) and Shibu (43) – were acquitted over lack of evidence.

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Kerala Minister alleges CPM interference in case

Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs V Muraleedharan on Tuesday demanded reinvestigation into the alleged rape and suicide case of two minor sisters in Kerala's Palakkad district, "The investigating team let the accused go, who are the CPM workers, after the interference of the state government, which is led by the CPM. The case should be reinvestigated," he said.
Muraleedharan met the chairperson of the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and requested its intervention in the matter.

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"The Child Welfare Committee of that district where this happened was headed by a CPM leader, who had appeared in the court for the accused. This is very surprising that an accused in such case is protected by the chairman of the Child Welfare Committee," he said. "I have requested the National Commission for Child Welfare to look into these aspects related to members as well. I have brought this matter to their notice. I hope the commission looks into it," added Muraleedharan.

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Dalir activist National Commission to intervene

A Dalit activist also urged the National Commission for Scheduled Castes to "intervene and render justice" in this case. 
Activist Vipin Krishnan, in a memorandum NCSC on Monday, alleged that there were lapses in the initial probe conducted in the case by the police. "In fact police have sabotaged the enquiry to help the accused due to which the special POCSO court in Palakkad district acquitted the accused as the prosecution was not able to prove their involvement," he said.

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The 2017 rape and murder case 

The two girls aged 11 and nine and found hanged in January and March, 2017 respectively. They belonged to Shelvapuram in Attapallam near Walayar in Palakkad district. Post-mortem reports suggested that they were sexually assaulted.

The police arrested four people, one of whom was acquitted in September this year, and the remaining three on October 25. The accused had been charged with abetment of suicide and rape. CM Pinarayi Vijayan has said in the assembly that the acquittal was unfortunate adding that the government will decide whether to order a CBI probe or not in the case.

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