Jisha murder probe may start from scratch: ADGP Sandhya

Indicating that serious lapses might have occurred during the investigation of Jisha murder case, ADGP B Sandhya, who took over as the head of the new special investigation team (SIT) informed Asianet News that the probe into the murder of the Dalit law student at Perumbavoor may have to start all over again.

The statement of ADGP Sandhya gains relevance in the backdrop of the allegations that the police committed grave mistakes in the investigation. There were criticisms that the police team failed to collect crucial pieces of evidence in the case. Political parties and activists had pointed fingers at the investigators for allegedly trying to derail the probe.

Also read: Do political protests over Jisha's death have any sincerity?

The new investigation team will convene its first meeting at Aluva police club on Friday. ADGP Sandhya will meet Jisha's mother and sister and is also likely to visit the house where the Dalit woman was found murdered.

Sandhya's posting as ADGP (south-zone) replacing K Padmakumar was one of the first decisions of the Pinarayi Vijayan government that assumed office the other day. The police team that probes into the murder has come under severe criticism after it could not make any headway in the sensational case.

Also read: Jisha murder probe: Union Minister's report blames Kerala

The rape and murder of the 29-year-old law student in the last week of April had elicited spontaneous protests across the state and it was a heated debate during the poll campaign in Kerala. The Left Democratic Front used it as a case against the Congress-led United Democratic Front government in the state and slammed it for not able to bring the culprit/s before the law.

After assuming power, the LDF government made it clear that solving the mystery of Jisha murder will be one of its first responsibilities. Now the onus is on the new investigation team led by ADGP Sandya.

Also read: Jisha is a grim reminder of crimes we committed

Last Updated Mar 31, 2018, 7:02 PM IST