Kochi: Police have responded over the death of a 14-year-old girl, who was under the care of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). 

The primary postmortem report stated that the cause of death is pneumonia, said Kochi DCP Aishwarya Dongre. She added that according to preliminary investigation, the CWC was not at fault for the death of the girl.

The minor girl died under mysterious circumstances the other day. She was sheltered at an establishment under the CWC at Pachalam.

The girl was sexually abused two years ago. As her mother was out of station, the CWC took responsibility of the child. She died at a time when the trial in the sexual abuse case was about to start. This triggered suspicion among relatives and local residents. They alleged that the officials did not inform anyone.

After post mortem at the Kalamassery Medical College, the body was taken to the children’s home in Kakkanad in an ambulance. However, the residents staged a protest and prevented the body from being taken out of the ambulance.