Those who show brutality towards innocent children deserve no mercy anywhere. Sanu Mohan, the father who killed his ten-year-old daughter named Vaiga, has been sentenced to life imprisonment and 28 years of rigorous imprisonment. No one can doubt that the defendant deserved this verdict.

Vaiga, daughter of Sanu of Sinu Bhavan, Kaithakkattu, Thrikunnapuzha, Alappuzha, was found dead in the Muttar River on 22 March 2021. Sanu took Vaiga from her mother's house in Alappuzha to a flat in Ernakulam, added alcohol to her soft drink, made her unconscious and suffocated her to death. Sanu, who went on the run after throwing the dead body in the Muttar River, was arrested from Karnataka after 28 days.

Sanu Mohan was in debt due to extravagance. He then decided to run away and his decision to kill his daughter reveals his perverted mental state. The trial court asked the accused whether parents kill their children to escape debt. The prosecution and the police were able to prove all the charges against Sanu beyond doubt. The police team that investigated the case and the lawyers who appeared for the prosecution who argued the case without making mistakes deserve appreciation.

Thrikkakara CI Dhanapalan filed the 240-page charge sheet in court. Special Prosecutor PA Bindu and Adv Sarun Mankara appeared for the prosecution. Had there been a failure to gather scientific evidence and convince the court beyond doubt, this case would have ended without justice for the victim like the Vandiperiyar case. In the case of the rape and murder of a girl in Vandiperiyar, the POCSO court had acquitted the accused, observing that the police could not prove that the accused Arjun had committed the crime. There were strong reactions against this sentence from various sections of the society.

The Vandiperiyar case taught us that no incident of child brutality should be taken lightly by investigators. In this situation, the punishment given to the father who killed his daughter is very relevant. Ernakulam Special Court Judge Soman's verdict in the Vaiga case reinforces people's faith in the justice system.

In many Western countries, with strong legal systems in place to protect children, governments are ever vigilant to ensure that it is effectively executed as well. Cases of children killing their parents have also been recurring in recent times, raising great concern. Murders in the name of dowry are also increasing. Relatives themselves try to cover up small outbursts and crimes that later lead to such tragedies. A change from this is necessary. Many such mishaps can be prevented if the responsible people intervene at the right time. In addition to the awareness organized by the family members, the social justice department should further expand the systems to provide counselling to those who need it as well.