Walayar siblings suicide case: Kerala govt seeks re-investigation, re-trial

Three persons had allegedly raped a 9-year-old and a 13-year-old girl, who were sisters, in Kerala's Walayar in 2017. The 13-year-old minor girl allegedly committed suicide in January 2017 while the younger 9-year-old girl was found dead almost two months later.

Kochi: The Kerala government on Wednesday(November 20) filed an appeal in the high court seeking investigation to be conducted again in the Walayar rape case.

The state government also demanded that the trial in the case be initiated again. The case relates to mysterious death and alleged sexual exploitation of two minor siblings at Walayar town in Palakad district in 2017. Three persons had allegedly raped a 9-year-old and a 13-year-old girl, who were sisters, in Palakkad in 2017. The 13-year-old minor girl allegedly committed suicide in January 2017 while the younger 9-year-old girl was found dead almost two months later.

The post mortem examination had revealed that both the girls were subjected to sexual assault. Contrary to this, a POCSO court in Palakkad had last month acquitted three accused  V Madhu, Shibu and M Madhu in the case after the prosecution failed to establish their involvement in the crime.

Meanwhile, the state government on Monday removed the special public prosecutor as he could not present incriminating evidence against the accused, which led to their acquittal. 

The chief minister on November 18 informed the Kerala Assembly that the order regarding removal of Special Public Prosecutor Latha Jayaraj from the Walayar siblings death case. was due to inefficient handling of the case.

In the Kerala Assembly, Vijayan said that government would stand with the parents of the minor girls who were found dead in their residence. Vijayan added that there are limitations for the government to go for a re-investigation as any decision regarding the same could only be taken after the court's consent.