NEDUMBASSERY: A 22-member special team has been formed under the supervision of District Police Chief M. Hemalatha to investigate two cases: the murder of a 4.5-year-old girl by her mother, who threw her into the Muvattupuzha river, and the sexual abuse of the child by a close relative of her father.

The team includes Aluva DySP T.R. Rajesh, Puthenkurish DySP V.T. Shajan, Chengamanad CI Soni Mathai, and Puthenkurish CI N. Girish. Among the team members are four women officers, including three women ASIs. Although the murder took place in the Chengamanad station limits, the abuse case falls under the jurisdiction of the Puthenkurish station.

Mother in custody for five days
The mother, who was remanded for the child’s murder, has been sent to police custody for five days by the Aluva court. She was brought from the Kakkanad Women’s Jail to the Chengamanad station yesterday evening, but is reportedly not cooperating with the interrogation. Evidence gathering will continue today and tomorrow at several locations, including the river where the child was thrown, Aluva Manappuram, and the Anganwadi in Thiruvaniyoor. Puthenkurish police have also filed a request for custody of the mother.

Forensic examination
Following confirmation that the child was sexually abused, the Puthenkurish police, along with fingerprint and forensic experts, conducted evidence collection yesterday at the residences of both the accused and the child. Items seized include clothes and toys used by both the child and the accused. The police had earlier taken into custody the clothes worn by the accused on the day of the incident. Statements from neighbours were also recorded.