Walayar rape: Victim moves Kerala HC under SC, ST Act

Kochi: A plea has been filed in the Kerala High Court by the mother of the victims in the Walayar rape case seeking action under the SC/ST Act against a former investigating officer (IO) for his allegedly "disgraceful" and "derogatory" remarks about her deceased daughters.

The court on Wednesday adjourned the case to July 20 and also appointed an amicus curiae to assist it in the matter.

The victims' mother, in her plea filed through advocate P V Jeevesh, has challenged a sessions court order which did not take cognisance of the offence under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act claimed to have been committed by the officer according to the woman's complaint.

The sessions court had only taken cognisance of the offence under section 23(1) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the woman's plea has said.

Section 23(1) of the POCSO Act states that "no person shall make any report or present comments on any child from any form of media or studio or photographic facilities without having complete and authentic information, which may have the effect of lowering his reputation or infringing upon his privacy". (PTI)