Kochi: The police had completed the investigation and trial procedures in the Aluva child rape and murder case in record time. The special investigation team submitted the charge sheet in the court on the 35th day from the murder of the minor girl. A request application was submitted in the court to expedite trial procedures.

The crime happened on July 28, 2023 and the trial in the court began on October 4. It was completed in 26 days. The accused was declared guilty by the court on the 99th day after the murder. Asfaq Alam was sentenced to death by the Ernakulam POCSO Court on the 110th day since the brutal murder. Literally, the procedures were completed at lightning speed.  

Initially, police had come under criticism as they were alleged of delaying the investigation, which people claimed eventually led to the tragic death of the little girl. However, the police had cleared the confusion saying that they had received the complaint in the incident quite late, allowing the criminal to perform the gory act by then. 

The ‘verdict’ issued when the entire nation is celebrating Children’s Day is deemed historic. The date also marks the 11th anniversary of the POCSO Act, which came into effect on November 14, 2012.

The verdict

The court in Kerala on Tuesday sentenced to death the man convicted in the horrific Aluva child rape and murder case. The victim's parents were present in court when the punishment was given to Alam, who was convicted on November 4. The prosecution had argued that the case falls under the rarest-of-rare category and therefore, the death penalty should be given to the convict.