Rape of LKG student by Madrassa students; Investigation sabotaged

NADAPURAM: The results of the Special Investigation Team of the Crime Brach inquiring into the case of sexual abuse of the four-and-a-half-year-old girl student have resulted in raised eyebrows. Reports state that the SIT led by DySP Mohana Chandran has found that the LKG student was not abused at all. It was on October 30, 2014, that the girl, a student of Darul Huda English Medium School, Parakkadavu near Nadapuram, was abused on the school campus. One of the accused is the son of a famous Islamic religious preacher from Kuttiyadi.

As per the report, the injury found on the genital part of the girl – a key piece of evidence – was on account of a urinary tract infection and not sexual abuse. The report also exonerated two senior students who were arrested by the local police in connection with the case.

The girl’s father has also raised concerns about efforts to derail the probe. “The investigation officials have given us clear hints that the accused would be let off on the pretext that our child had not undergone any harassment. We are sure that the child was abused. They are trying to save the accused by writing off the case because they are politically connected,” the girl’s father said.

The delay in arresting the suspects had sparked strong public protests in the area with political parties and social activists accusing the police of trying to shield the real culprits. There were strong allegations from various quarters during the preliminary stage of investigation that the police was trying to sabotage the case.

The investigation team is now on its way to submit the report before the court after ensuring scientific backing for the findings and to conclude the inquiry.

DySP K V Santhosh, who is leading the probe team, said as per the report submitted by the first investigating officer, Mohana Chandran, the girl was not sexually abused.

During the medical examination, a minor injury was found in the genital part of the girl, but no report has stated that the girl was abused. There were several contradictions in the statements of the girl and her parents, said Santhosh.

The case was then taken over by Nadapuram DySP Prajeesh Thottathil, who arrested two senior students of the same school pursuing ‘religious education’. They were charged under IPC 376 (rape) and relevant provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

The government had handed over the probe to Crime Branch, despite strong protests from victim’s parents and political parties. It was alleged that this move was part of attempt to sabotage the case. Backing the allegations, the CB took steps in favour of the accused to get them bail during their probe.