Court orders follow up investigation in Palathayi rape case

Kannur: The Thalassery Additional District Court has ordered a follow up investigation in the Palathayi rape case. The court issued the order after considering a petition from the prosecution which cited that the charge sheet submitted by the investigation team was not satisfactory.

The other day, the Crime Branch had submitted the charge sheet in the case in which a teacher raped his 9-year-old student in Palathayi. However, the charge sheet only mentioned sections under juvenile justice act and did not include sections of the POCSO Act. Citing the shortcomings, the prosecution submitted a petition. After considering the petition, Additional District judge Thushar ordered a follow up investigation in the case.

Public prosecutor B. P. Saseendran argued that a follow up investigation was needed to collect evidence in accordance with the POCSO sections mentioned in the FIR. This was approved by the court.

The advocate representing the accused requested to stop the trial by the media which was being held in the case. The court said that the investigating officers have been directed to refrain from speaking to the media.

The accused in the case, K. Padmarajam of Kadavathur, was in remand custody. Last week, the Additional Sessions Court had granted two weeks bail for him under conditions.