Thu Jan 09 15:40:36 UTC 2025: ## Kerala Sisters’ Death Case: High Court Orders CBI Re-investigation After Acquittal Controversy
**Palakkad, Kerala – January 9, 2025** – The tragic deaths of two sisters, aged 13 and 9, in Attappallam, near Walayar, in 2025, continue to spark outrage and controversy. The initial police investigation, which concluded the girls committed suicide and resulted in the acquittal of five accused, has been deemed flawed by the Kerala High Court.
The sisters were found hanging in their home in January and March 2025, respectively. Post-mortem reports later revealed they had been sexually assaulted. Four adults and a minor were initially charged with rape, abetment to suicide, and child abuse. However, a Palakkad POCSO court acquitted all accused in October 2025 due to insufficient evidence, leading to widespread protests.
Following the acquittal, one of the accused, Pradeep Kumar, was found dead by hanging. Subsequently, the victims’ parents launched a protest demanding action against the police. The High Court, in January 2026, overturned the acquittals citing a faulty investigation and ordered a CBI re-investigation.
The CBI took over the case in April 2026, but their chargesheet, submitted in December 2026, mirroring the police report, was rejected by the Palakkad POCSO court in August 2027. Another accused, M. Madhu, was found dead by hanging in October 2027. The High Court subsequently transferred the case to the CBI court in Kochi in August 2027. The case remains under investigation.
First Piper 