Sun Mar 02 15:04:18 UTC 2025: ## CBI Seeks to Charge Parents in Walayar Rape Case Retrial
**Kochi, March 2, 2025** – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is seeking to add the mother and stepfather of two minor sisters as accused in the retrial of the Walayar rape and death case. A CBI court will hear arguments on March 5th regarding the agency’s plea.
The supplementary chargesheet, filed last month, alleges the parents knew their daughters were being sexually abused and failed to report the crimes, thus abetting the accused. The charges include aiding and abetting sexual assault and rape under the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, as well as violations of the Juvenile Justice Act. The parents are implicated in all ten cases against the accused.
This development follows the acquittal of five accused in a previous Palakkad court, prompting a public outcry and a Kerala High Court-ordered retrial. The High Court ordered the CBI investigation based on a petition from the children’s mother. A separate case involving a minor accused is ongoing at the Juvenile Justice Board in Palakkad. Pious Mathew will serve as the Special Prosecutor for the CBI in this case. The court’s decision on whether to arraign the parents will be made following the March 5th hearing.
First Piper 