Vandiperiyar case; Acquittal due to lack of evidence and investigative failures

IDUKKI: POCSO court ruled the case of six-year-old girl's murder in Vandiperiyar as inconclusive. Despite confirming the occurrence of rape, the court acquitted Arjun, the prime suspect due to insufficient evidence and lapses in the investigation.

The judgment highlighted significant failures in the investigative process notably the officer's delayed visit to the crime scene, a day after the murder. This delay raised questions about the credibility of the investigation. Furthermore, the investigating officer neglected to collect crucial scientific evidence, including fingerprints and failed to consult experts for analysis.

The court emphasized the prosecution's inability to substantiate the charges against the accused, ultimately leading to the acquittal. Despite confirming the occurrence of rape, the lack of substantial evidence hindered the establishment of guilt.

At the same time, the state police chief instructed Arjun to file an appeal against the acquittal of the accused in the case. After the verdict, locals and relatives came out in protest. The prosecution had earlier announced that it would appeal. Emotional and dramatic scenes were staged in the court premises. Alleging that the judge who has given the verdict in the case took money, the relatives demanded that they want the old judge. Relatives told the media that the accused was acquitted even though the judge was a woman.

‘He raped and killed my daughter born after 14 years, in the pooja room. I fed her. She was everything for me. He killed my daughter...she didn't get justice, the people here know everything, he is going to live happily now, we lost our child,’ said the family.