Vandiperiyar minor rape-murder: Kerala govt approaches HC, files appeal against acquittal of accused

Kochi: The state government has approached the High Court against the acquittal of the accused in the Vandiperiyar minor rape-murder case. A Division Bench of the court on Thursday admitted the appeal, which said the trial court failed to properly scrutinize the evidence produced by the prosecution. The Bench also issued a notice to Arjun, who was acquitted in the case. 

Earlier, Kerala Chief Minister while reacting to the verdict said that the state would file an appeal. Last day, the parents of the victim met the CM. They urged the government's push for the reinvestigation of the case and quashing of the trial court verdict. The parents also noted that a trustworthy counsel should be appointed, and lapses of prosecution and police in the case should be examined. The development comes at this juncture.

In December, a trial court in Idukki, after pointing out not just lack of evidence but also lapses in the probe, acquitted the accused in the rape and murder of a six-year-old girl at Vandiperiyar in 2021.