Vandiperiyar sexual assault case: High Court admits appeal filed by government against acquittal of accused

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Thursday admitted the appeal filed by the state government against the acquittal of the accused in the Vandiperiyar rape and murder case. The government had approached the court demanding that the verdict of the Kattapana Special Court be quashed. The court, which sent a notice to the accused Arjun in the case, adjourned the hearing of the petition to the 29th of this month.

The trial court had acquitted the accused in the absence of evidence. However, in its appeal, the government stated that the trial court failed to analyze the evidence presented by the prosecution. Arjun, who was accused of sexually assaulting, killing and hanging a six-year-old girl in Vandiperiyar, was acquitted as the prosecution failed to prove the case.

The dead body of the girl was found hanging in her Layam in Vandiperiyar on June 30, 2021. Upon investigation, the police found that the accused had been sexually exploiting the child since she was three years old by giving her sweets and food items. The police filed the charge sheet in 78 days.

The court issued the verdict two years after the police filed the charge sheet. Acquitting the accused, the court stated that there were lapses on the part of the investigating officer in the Vandiperiyar case.