Omanakutty, the first accused in the Kiliroor sex case who turned approver, played a key role in proving the charge of sexual exploitation of her niece, teenage girl Shari S. Nair.
Though Omanakutty led Shari through the wrong paths, the CBI had no option other than relying on her to prove the charge, as the case lacked sufficient scientific evidence.
She turned approver, and as a result, managed to have a narrow escape from the punishment for the heinous offences she committed.
A problem in proving the charge was that the investigation began about eight months after Shari was raped.
Though a statement was taken from Shari after her health started deteriorating, the court did not consider it as a dying declaration as Shari lived for two more months after the statement was recorded, CBI sources said.
CBI Additional SP N. Surendran probed the case and CBI consul advocate K.P. Satheesan was the prosecutor.
The CBI is planning to file an appeal against the seventh-accused, Soman, who was acquitted by the CBI court for lack of evidence. He allegedly arranged a room for the accused in Kumily to rape the victim.
All the convicts would file appeal in the high court. Shari’s father Surendran would also approach the court seeking a probe into the cause of death of his daughter, that’s somewhat steeped in mystery; and more so amid allegations of some VIP involvement.
Meanwhile, a separate case against the eighth and ninth accused in the case, Abdul Latheef and P.R. Devadas, for arranging hideouts to Latha Nair, is pending trial before the court. The case is listed for hearing later this month.
