THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The parents of the six-year-old girl, who was raped and murdered in Vandiperiyar met Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The family requested the chief minister to appoint the lawyer they want as a special prosecutor in connection with the hearing in the case. The girl’s father said that they would file a plea to be a party in the case.

The chief minister responded that he would take a decision after consulting the family's demand with the DGP. The girl's parents came to meet the chief minister along with Idukki CPM district secretary. The court had acquitted the accused Arjun in the case of raping and killing the girl.

The body of the girl was found hanging at her house in Vandiperiyar on June 30, 2021. The police investigation found that the accused had been sexually exploiting her by giving sweets and food items since she was three years old. The police submitted the charge sheet within 78 days.

The verdict was pronounced after two years of filing the charge sheet. The court blamed the investigating officer for his lapse in the Vandiperiyar case. The reference is in the copy of the judgment acquitting the accused Arjun in the case. On the day of the judgment, the court had pointed out that there was a failure in the collection of evidence and the credibility of the investigating officer was doubtful.