Victim of brutal harassment in Chottanikkara, dies, murder charge to be imposed against accused, say police

KOCHI: The victim in the POCSO case, subjected to brutal harassment in Chottanikkara, has died. The 20-year-old girl, who was in a critical condition was undergoing treatment in a private hospital for the past one week. She was on ventilator. Her death was confirmed this afternoon. Her brain was injured. Police said murder charge would be imposed on the accused Anoop.

The girl was found lying semi-nakedly in her own house last Sunday. The police had registered a case for rape and murder attempt on the complaint of her mother. Blood stains were found on her private parts. There was also a mark of a rope tightened around her neck.

Only she and her mother are in the house. The incident happened when her mother was not at home. She was adopted by a financially good family. Her father died years ago. One of her close relatives saw her lying unconscious through a window. The back door was found open.

She was first taken to a government hospital in Tripunithura and then shifted her to a private hospital nearby. She was later shifted to a famous hospital in Ernakulam when her condition turned worse. Three years ago, when the girl was a degree student, she was sexually abused by two employees of a private bus she regularly travelled. The bus employees were arrested after a complaint was filed four months ago. They were recently released on bail. The police are also investigating their movements.