Palathayi case verdict: Former investigating officers fight it out on social media

KANNUR: Social media witnessed a heated exchange between former investigating officers involved in the Palathayi sexual assault case. Retired. ACP and current Left candidate for the Srikantapuram Municipality, T.K. Ratnakumar, who filed the final chargesheet, came forward in response to a post shared on Facebook by a Retired. DySP Abdul Rahim, who opined that the convicted teacher K. Padmarajan was innocent.

Abdul Rahim pointed out several inconsistencies in the investigation. Although the child initially said 'bathroom', in later statements she explained it as 'room with a hook' and 'bathroom used by teachers', but Rahim pointed out that the first investigating officer conducted a scientific examination in the bathroom used by girls.

Rahim also claimed that the accused was not present at the school on the day of the incident. Rahim also questioned the result of the blood found in the bathroom after a year and a half after the incident. Rahim demanded answers from investigative officers on the basis on which they concluded that the blood belonged to the victim.

Ratna Kumar responded by giving details of the investigation. The medical report has confirmed that penetrative sexual assault took place. Teachers and classmates have testified that the child was bleeding on that day. Ratna Kumar also explained how the convict fled the school on that particular day without even informing any of the teachers.