Vandiperiyar Rape & Murder Of Minor Girl: Kerala High Court Grants Police Protection To Relatives Of Acquitted Accused

Justice Basant Balaji directed the District Police Chief, Idukki and the Station House Officer of Vandiperiyar Police Station to ensure that there was no threat to life of the relatives of Arjun.

“Taking into consideration the seriousness of the issue that an child aged 5 1⁄2 half years was brutally murdered and the accused was exonerated of all the charges, the local people along with the respondents 4 to 6 very much agitated by the same and therefore the situation is very much tense. Therefore there will be direction to the 2nd and 3rd respondent to see that there is no threat to the life of the petitioners 1 to 7 at the hand of respondents 4 to 6 or their associates.”

On December 14, 2023, the Kattappana POCSO Court acquitted Arjun on finding that the prosecution failed to prove the case. It also pointed out the defects in the investigation of the case.

The petitioners who are the relatives of Arjun have approached the High Court seeking police protection for their life and property and for leading a peaceful life. The Counsel for the petitioners submitted that were unable to live in their residence and were staying away for the time being. It was also submitted that they were prevented from entering their own house and were unable to even procure their personal and other articles from their house.

The Court has also directed the police to accompany the petitioners to their house to obtain their articles.

The petition was moved by Advocates S.K.Adhithyan, Christy Thomas, T.U.Anukrishna

Citation: 2023 LiveLaw (Ker) 749 

Case title: Sundar v Director General of Police

Case number: WP(C) NO. 42868 OF 2023

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