In a verdict that has resonated across Kerala, a special court in Ernakulam sentenced 29-year-old Asfaq Alam to death for the rape and murder of a five-year-old girl. This ruling, delivered on November 4, comes as a response to a crime that shocked the state for its brutality and callousness.
Additional district and sessions Judge K Soman, overseeing cases under the Protection Of Children from Sexual Offences Act, found Alam guilty of abducting, raping, and strangling the minor girl in Aluva on July 28. The incident, which involved Alam bundling the girl’s body in a plastic bag and burying it under garbage, sent shockwaves through Kerala.
The police swiftly identified Alam using CCTV footage after the girl was reported missing. When apprehended on July 28, he was found drunk. The chargesheet was filed within 30 days, and the trial was completed in 26 days.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan remarked that the punishment, given on Children’s Day, should be seen as a strong warning to those who commit violence against children. The victim’s parents expressed their gratitude to the Kerala society for ensuring justice for their daughter.
Judge K Soman also handed down five life terms to Alam for various charges, including rape and aggravated penetrative sexual assault under the Indian Penal Code and the POCSO Act. Public prosecutor G Mohanraj stated that the execution of the death sentence is contingent upon confirmation by the Kerala High Court. The court also imposed a fine of over Rs six lakh on Alam.
The sentence was pronounced on a day celebrated as Children’s Day across the country, also marking the 11th anniversary of the POCSO Act. The court ordered that the life term would mean Alam should stay in prison for the rest of his natural life.
The crime occurred when Alam lured the girl by promising her sweets, then brutally raped and killed her before dumping her body in a garbage-strewn marshy area. The child lived with her parents in the same building as Alam. Several locals, including a local trade union worker, reported seeing Alam with the child on the day of the crime.
Chief Minister Vijayan emphasized the efficiency of the criminal justice system in ensuring the maximum punishment for Alam. ADGP (Law and Order) M R Ajith Kumar welcomed the sentence, highlighting the robustness of the criminal justice system. State Health Minister Veena George also welcomed the verdict, emphasizing its significance in sending a strong message against harming children.
The public celebrated the verdict by distributing sweets and bursting firecrackers outside the court. Political leaders, including Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan, praised the court’s decision. Law Minister P Rajeev highlighted the government’s commitment to women and children in Kerala, noting the speed of the investigation and trial.
In addition to the death penalty, Alam was sentenced to five life terms for various offenses under the IPC and the POCSO Act, along with varying jail terms for offenses such as kidnapping and destruction of evidence. The court imposed a fine of Rs 7.3 lakh on the convict. The execution of the death sentence is subject to confirmation by the Kerala High Court and will be carried out once Alam exhausts all legal appeals against the verdict.
