THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Investigation officer suspended in Idukki Vandiperiyar case where a six-year-old girl was raped and murdered. The court acquitted Arjun, the accused in the case, pointing out the lapses on the part of the officer. The relatives came forward demanding action against SHO TD Sunilkumar after that.

Currently, Sunil Kumar is the Ernakulam Vazhakulam SHO. ADGP in charge of law and order issued the order suspending Sunil Kumar. Apart from the suspension, a departmental inquiry has also been ordered against TD Sunilkumar. Action has been taken against Sunil Kumar a month and a half after the court verdict

The girl's father alleged that the police sided with the accused and misled him. The police failed to enforce the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Harassment Act. The father also responded that he came to know that such a decision was taken when he received a letter saying that the accused would not get any benefits if the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Harassment Act was imposed.

The child's father had alleged that he had informed the police that Arjun, the accused in the case, was a churchgoer, but the police were unconcerned. Peermade MLA's letter was also given but still the police stood by the accused in this regard.

The officer had said that if the SC-ST Act is imposed, the inquiry should be conducted by the DySP and the charges were not laid to avoid this. The child's father alleged that the investigating officer said that the case would drag on.