No progress in 2012 rape case, govt orders probe against police officers in Idukki

Idukki: The home department has ordered an investigation against six police officers, including a deputy SP, for lapses in the investigation of a rape case and failure to properly file the chargesheet in court. The incident relates to a rape case reported in 2012 under the Upputhara police station limits in Idukki. The officers facing investigation include then Peermade DySP P V Manoj Kumar, circle inspector V Shibu Kumar and sub-inspectors (SI) S M Riyas, R Madhu, E K Soljimon, and Sumith Jose. The incident relates to the submission of the chargesheet before Peermade judicial first class magistrate court, in connection with a case registered by Upputhara police based on the statement of the survivor's mother. Following court observations, an inquiry by the Idukki district police chief found serious lapses after which the state police chief submitted a report to the court. The case was initially registered in 2012 by SI Sibi Francis. The investigation was later completed by circle inspector T R Pradeep Kumar, who filed a chargesheet on May 6, 2013. However, the court returned it as crucial details were missing and directed that the defects be corrected and resubmitted. The file was sent back to the Peermade circle office on July 8, 2013, and then forwarded to Upputhara police station. However, it was never resubmitted to the court. Officers who later took charge also failed to take any action on the case. The survivor's mother, who was the first witness in the case, died nine years ago. Since the case file is now missing, key documents such as the chargesheet, the survivor's medical certificate, the accused's potency certificate, scene mahazars, school admission extract of the survivor, and original witness statements cannot be traced. Without these, the court cannot accept the case. Meanwhile, SI Sumith Jose, who was held responsible for the lapse, has resigned from service.