Unnatural deaths of 28 children: Kerala HC adds KeLSA member secretary as party in PIL

Kochi: High court on Thursday added the member secretary of Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA) as a party in a PIL seeking a court-monitored investigation into the alleged unnatural deaths of 28 children in Palakkad district between 2010 and 2023.HC issued the order pursuant to a preliminary report of the crime branch investigation team, which highlighted certain social factors that might have led to the deaths. The court further observed that the presence of the member secretary may be required for the implementation of various suggestions made by the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights in consultation with stakeholders. A bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice V M Syam Kumar was considering the petition filed by K Salil Lal Ahamed and four other members of the Walayar Neethi Samara Samithy.The petitioners raised allegations regarding the unnatural deaths of children in Palakkad district in light of the findings from the investigation into the death of two minor Dalit sisters in Walayar, who were found dead following alleged sexual assault. They further submitted that most of the deceased children belonged to impoverished and marginalised communities. They contended that pathological autopsy reports, along with other materials, suggested that the deaths were either homicidal or highly suspicious, though the cases were initially closed as suicides.During hearing on Thursday, HC noted that the issue is presently under investigation. The bench also directed the state govt to file a report on the steps taken based on the recommendations of the state child rights panel and adjourned the PIL to March 26.