KOCHI: The verdict that all of Kerala wanted. Gallows for Asfaq Alam (28), a native of Bihar who brutally abused and killed a five-year-old girl in Aluva. Justice for the child's family on Children's Day.
Ernakulam Pocso Court Judge K Soman sentenced the killer to be hanged till death. He was sentenced to five life terms, 49 years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 7.20 lakhs. Judge K Soman specifically mentioned in the verdict that the accused should remain in prison for the rest of his life. He said that this is the rarest of rare cases.
The daughter of the natives of Bihar was found dead in the garbage dump behind the Aluva market on July 28. The police quickly completed the investigation and filed a charge sheet against the arrested Asfaq Alam. Along with the police, the court also accepted the demand of the public that justice should not be delayed for the child. The trial was completed quickly. The hanging was ordered on the 110th day after the incident.
Asfaq took the girl from a rented house in Thaikkattukara, Aluva, on the promise of buying her soft drinks. Only the girl and her younger sister were in the house. The accused bought mango juice from a shop and reached Aluva city by KSRTC bus along with the girl. After reaching the market, he went to the area where the garbage was collected with the girl. There, the girl was made semi-consciousness by giving her juice mixed with alcohol. Following that Asfaq abused the girl several times.
Then he killed the child by tightening the t-shirt she was wearing around her neck and disfigured her face by beating it with a stone. Cloth and garbage were piled on top of the dead body and a stone was placed on top. One of the child's sandals and the remaining cloth were hidden in a crack in the wall. Another shoe was thrown in the Periyar River. After returning from the scene of the incident, the accused took water from a public tap on the road and washed his hands, feet and face with soap to destroy evidence. Asfaq was arrested the next day. The court appointed a lawyer for the accused through the District Legal Service Authority.
Charge sheet was issued on September 1
The charge sheet was filed on September 1 under 12 sections of the Indian Penal Code, three sections of the POCSO Act and one section of the Juvenile Justice Act. Finding that the same offence was charged under the POCSO Act and the Indian Penal Code, the court struck down three sections under the Indian Penal Code. On the 4th of this month, the court said that the accused was found guilty of murder, sexual offence, disrespect to a dead body, unnatural sexual offence, destruction of evidence and kidnapping. The judgment was passed after the hearing. The District Legal Service Authority has also directed to take action to provide legal compensation to the victim's parents. The parents were present to hear the verdict yesterday.
Offender should be imprisoned in Viyyoor Jail
Justice has been served, thank you"
"Our daughter got justice. Thanks to everyone who helped with this. The police, locals, officials and the government provided all support. All of Kerala stood together. She is gone, another child should not... the mother burst into tears.
The accused has been sentenced to death, my child's soul will rest in peace... said the father, wiping his tears.
Despite losing their daughter, the family is planning to stay in Kerala. This family came from Bihar and settled in Aluva many years ago. They haven't gone home for a long time. Disaster struck when everyone was about to leave. With that, the journey was postponed and the verdict was awaited. They will go home, meet their relatives and return. Adv G Mohanraj was the public prosecutor.
The verdict on Children's Day is a strong warning against child abusers.
- Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister