Body of Kidnapped 5-Year-Old Girl Found in Kochi Dumping Area, Bihar Native Arrested as Perpetrator
The body of a five-year-old girl, who was kidnapped from near her home, has been discovered in a dumping area in the Aluva market in Kochi. Following the tragic incident, a 29-year-old man from Bihar has been arrested as the perpetrator.
According to statements made by a senior officer involved in the case, the accused was fully aware of his actions and was not under the influence of alcohol. He deliberately waited for the market to clear out before committing the crime. The motive behind this heinous act was solely sexual gratification. The accused has been charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including murder, rape, and kidnapping, as well as relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act.
The postmortem examination revealed that the young girl had suffered brutal torture and sexual assault before being killed. While the initial investigations suggest that the accused acted alone, the possibility of him receiving assistance has not been ruled out entirely. Another individual who was questioned on suspicion has been released.
On Sunday, the accused was presented before the Aluva first-class judicial magistrate and subsequently remanded in 14-day judicial custody. He has since been transferred to the Aluva sub-jail. As the case falls under the purview of the Pocso Act, all further proceedings, including custody applications, will be conducted before the special court in Ernakulam.
Dr. Srinivas A, DIG of the Kochi range, confirmed that the charges against the accused were based on the postmortem findings and police investigation. The special investigation team (SIT) reviewed the progress of the investigation during a conference on Sunday morning. The accused was previously located in Uliyannoor before coming to the Aluva region. Dr. Srinivas mentioned that no evidence thus far points to the involvement of any other individuals, though all possibilities remain open. Extensive questioning of the accused is planned, and a seven-day custody application has been submitted to the court. In addition to the primary charges, the accused also faces allegations of evidence destruction.
Eye-witnesses report having seen the accused approximately one hour before the victim’s death, and efforts are underway to identify more witnesses. Police have reached out to authorities in Bihar and received confirmation of the perpetrator’s native origin. A police team may be dispatched to Bihar for further investigation if necessary.
It is a horrifying incident that has sent shockwaves throughout the community. The authorities are determined to conduct a comprehensive inquiry and ensure justice for the innocent victim. The investigation will continue with the hope of shedding more light on this tragic event.
