Ernakulam: The Kerala High Court has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the suspicious death of a minor girl in Thiruvananthapuram in March last year. The order, issued by Justice Bechu Kurian Joseph’s bench, comes after a prolonged period of eight months during which local police investigations failed to identify the culprit.
Following an appeal by the deceased girl’s mother, Justice Bechu Kurian Joseph’s bench mandated the CBI probe. The incident occurred on March 29, 2023, when the 13-year-old was discovered unconscious in the bathroom of her residence located within the police quarters. Despite immediate medical attention at the Medical College, she succumbed to her injuries on April 1, 2023.The post-mortem report revealed intracranial hemorrhage as the cause of death, further indicating signs of sexual abuse.
Initially handled by the Museum Police, the investigation was subsequently transferred to the District Crime Branch. However, the progress made by the investigating team was deemed unsatisfactory by the petitioner, the deceased’s mother. She raised concerns about the seriousness of the crime not being adequately addressed and alleged a potential cover-up due to the involvement of police quarters. Furthermore, she pointed out that crucial witnesses, such as her daughter’s friend, were not questioned by the police.
In light of these serious allegations and shortcomings in the investigation, the mother sought justice through a writ petition in the Kerala High Court, advocating for a CBI probe. Taking cognizance of the gravity of the situation and the petitioner’s concerns, the High Court has mandated a CBI inquiry into the case.
Discussion about this post