The sexually assaulted two minor sisters of Walayar could have died by suicide, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has said.
The CBI noted that the “most probable manner of death could be suicide in nature” in the chargesheet that was filed in a Kochi CBI court recently. It concluded that “the possibility of death by homicidal manner of hanging can be ruled out to a reasonable medical certainty” in the case.
Incidentally, a trial court in Palakkad had earlier rejected the CBI’s suicide theory and ordered a reinvestigation into the deaths.
Allegations of murder
The death of the girls, aged 13 and nine, in 2017 had raised a storm of protests in the State with social activists raising allegations of murder. The CBI, which took over the investigation on a petition by the girls’ mother, arraigned her and her husband as the second and third accused in the case. They have been charged with abetting the first accused V. Madhu, a close relative, to commit repeated sexual assault on their daughters.
Earlier, the mother had taken out an extensive campaign in the State seeking justice for her daughters. She also contested the last Assembly election on the symbol skirt, representing her children.
Police surgeon’s report
The CBI quoted the report of a police surgeon in the chargesheet which noted that the “post-mortem findings were consistent with the history of deaths due to hanging.” After “analysing the scene of the crime, inquest photos, post-mortem findings and ancillary reports, the forensic surgeon concluded that the post-mortem findings were consistent with death due to hanging,” it was reported.
On the death of the younger girl, the CBI concluded that “death due to hanging by suicidal manner cannot be totally ruled out.” “Even though the girl was only 9 years old, it was not impossible for her to manoeuvre the ligature material around the point of suspension from the rafter and accomplish the act of hanging,” it said.
‘Conclusion difficult’
The CBI quoted a psychological autopsy report, which stated that a “definite conclusion on the manner of death was difficult” in the case. It could be “presumed that factors such as complex family background, abused childhood experiences, sexual abuse, close presence of perpetrators and their threats and lack of sufficient primary support can make the child vulnerable to committing the self-destructive act,” according to the report.
The CBI also referred to a medical board report, which noted that “the possibility of the children committing suicide cannot be ruled out considering the prevailing traumatic conditions.” A “forensic expert opined that the possibility of homicide does not exist in the case,” it noted.
(Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling any of the following numbers: DISHA – 1056, 0471-2552056.)
