Idukki: The police officer in charge of the investigation into the rape and murder of a six-year-old girl in Vandiperiyar said that there was no lapse on the part of police officers in the case.

The remark from TD Sunilkumar, former CI at the Vandiperiyar police station, who investigated the case, came barely a day after a special POCSO court in Kattapana acquitted the sole accused for lack of evidence. Aside from pointing out flaws in the investigation, the court noted that the case depended solely on circumstantial evidence, and the prosecution could not establish circumstances to prove the accused's guilt. 

Following the verdict, Sunilkumar reiterated that the accused, Arjun, was the culprit in the case. 

“The incident had happened on June 30, 2021. We had sealed the quarters on the very same day itself. An inquest was carried out, and the mahazar was prepared the next morning. Fingerprint experts were present at the crime scene during the inquest. I am 100 per cent sure that Arjun is the culprit. After discussing with the higher officials, we will file an appeal against the verdict,” said TD Sunilkumar.

The incident pertaining to the case happened in 2021. The 6-year-old girl was found hanging on June 30 in a room in Churakulam Tea Estate located in Vandiperiyar. The autopsy report revealed that the girl was sexually assaulted. 

Later, Police booked Vandiperiyar native Arjun and took him into custody. According to police, the accused confessed that he molested the girl and killed her by hanging after she became unconscious. The probe team also claimed that he was addicted to porn and molested her several times over a period of three years.

However, the POCSO court acquitted Arjun on the grounds that the prosecution could not prove the charges of murder and rape against the accused. 

The child's mother burst into tears after hearing the verdict while the relatives protested outside the court, claiming denial of justice.