Karuvatta murder case: No kin turn up to claim custody of accused minor girl after she gets bail

Cherthala (Kerala): The Juvenile Justice Board has issued an order granting bail to the accused girl in the Karuvatta murder case. The Board announced the verdict on Tuesday for the case considered on Monday. However, no relatives arrived to take custody of the minor.

Reportedly, no relatives have visited the girl at the shelter home since her arrest. If family members do not take custody, arrangements will be made for her to reside at the shelter home under the supervision of the Board, with provisions made for her education and related needs.

Following the grant of bail to the three accused boys in the case, their families had taken custody of them. The Juvenile Justice Board directed that actions revealing the identity of the girl to the general public must be strictly avoided.

Sivankutti Chettiyar, who was living in a rented house in Karuvatta, was killed on the night of August 15. Four minors, including a female relative, are accused in the case.

An unusual case of this nature was heard by the Board comprising Principal Magistrate Sinsi Jacob and members Dr Saji Mathew and K R Sreelekha. Assistant Public Prosecutor Manu Kallampally appeared for the prosecution. The investigation team is currently making efforts to submit the charge sheet within 90 days.