Three persons charged with the murder of a seven-year-old girl in Aluva in 2011 were acquitted by the Special Judge, Muvattupuzha (for the trial of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act cases), citing insufficient evidence and lapses in the investigation. The accused were identified as Sindhu Nair and her husband Jose Kurian of Aluva, and the victim’s uncle, Nagappan.

According to the prosecution, the couple had allegedly ‘bought’ the girl from her parents through Nagappan for household work. It was also alleged that the child was subjected to cruelty at the couple’s house, which led to her death at a private hospital in Kolenchery.

The Aluva police registered the case after residents raised doubts over the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death. The case was initially heard at the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-I in Aluva before being transferred to the Special Judge, Muvattupuzha.

The defence claimed that the couple had hired a maid for household chores and that the girl had accompanied her to the house. The accused also claimed that the domestic worker went missing after the girl’s death and has remained untraceable since.

In its order, the court observed that there was no sufficient evidence to find the accused guilty and that the investigation was conducted carelessly. It noted that the prosecution had not disclosed the presence of another middle-aged domestic worker staying at the couple’s house. The court further said the evidence collected from the house was weak and had not been obtained in accordance with the law by the investigating officer.