Alappuzha: The Kerala High Court has granted permission to the police to proceed with evidence collection by taking into custody the minor accused in the Karuvatta murder case, where an elderly man named Shivankutti was killed allegedly based on a quotation given by his granddaughter. The High Court dismissed the petitions filed by the parents of the minors challenging the Alappuzha Juvenile Justice Board’s order that handed over the children to police custody. However, the court instructed the police to strictly adhere to all guidelines laid down by the Juvenile Justice Board during the evidence collection process.
The parents had approached the court arguing that police custody would severely affect the mental health and self-respect of the minors. Notably, this is the first instance in Kerala where minors have been remanded to police custody for investigation purposes. The police had sought custody of the three boys involved in the crime to conduct detailed interrogations. A total of four minors, including the 13-year-old granddaughter, are named as accused in the case. Under existing legal provisions, individuals aged between 16 and 18 involved in heinous crimes such as murder can be treated and prosecuted as adults. Currently, the girl is housed in a Social Welfare Department facility in Kozhikode, while the three boys are accommodated at a shelter home in Mayithara, Cherthala. The brutal murder of Shivankutti took place on the 15th of last month.
For more details: Navamalayalam.com