Walayar siblings death case: Kerala CM removes SPP Latha Jayaraj from case

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan removed Special Public Prosecutor Latha Jayaraj from the Walayar siblings death case. She was under fire for alleged inefficient handling of the case.

Chief minister on Monday(November 18) informed the Kerala Assembly about the order regarding Latha's removal from the post. Vijayan added that the state government is 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. He added that the government would take a favourable stand when the parents of the victims approach the judiciary. "The government is with the parents. We will take a stand that is in line with the wish of the parents of the victims," he said.

Meanwhile, the Kerala high court on November 13 accepted the appeal of victims' mother in the Walayar siblings death case. The court also issued a notice to the accused and the government that it is considering the appeal filed by the mother.

In October, a special court acquitted three accused in the alleged sexual assault and murder of two minor girls in Walayar in 2017.

The Palakkad POCSO court acquitted them, citing lack of substantial scientific and circumstantial evidence that linked the accused to the alleged sexual assault and murders. The acquittals had led to massive protests in the state, with several political parties accusing the police of intentionally botching up the case.

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.

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