The State government should file a statement on the progress of the investigation into the murder and rape of a Dalit girl at Perumbavoor on May 30, the High Court of Kerala has directed.
The order was issued by a Division Bench of the court consisting of Justice A.M. Shaffique and Justice K. Ramakrishnan on a petition filed by T.B. Mini, a lawyer practising in the High Court.
The petitioner pointed out that the police investigation was not progressing in the proper direction and only a make-belief one was being held to appease the public. The petitioner sought a directive to the State government to constitute a special investigation team headed by a senior woman police officer to investigate the crime or entrust the task to the Central Bureau of Investigation.
Directive sought
The petitioner also sought a directive to the State government to conduct an inquiry to ascertain the persons who did the autopsy in the case and whether the examination was done properly. B.S. Swathi Kumar, counsel for the petitioner, submitted that the investigation was not progressing in the right track and the body of the victim was cremated in haste.
The petitioner pointed out that no attempts were made by the police to cordon off the scene of crime and to preserve evidence.
The public had the right to know the nature of investigation.
T.A. Asifali, Director General of Prosecution, submitted before the court that steps were initiated and a team was constituted for the purpose and the probe had reached a crucial stage.
