BJP member demands CBI probe into Kerala rape and murder

New Delhi, May 11: A BJP member, who was part of three-member team sent by the party to Kerala in connection with rape and murder of a Dalit girl, today made a demand in Lok Sabha for a CBI probe, alleging "several lapses" in the investigation carried out by the local police.

The law student was brutally raped and murdered on April 28, triggering a political controversy in Kerala, which is going to polls on May 16. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Arjun Ram Meghwal said there have been "several lapses" in investigations into the incident.

Underlining that it is a "sensitive case", he said CBI should investigate the matter. In this regard, he said, he would be writing to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. Meghwal was part of BJP's "fact-finding" committee which visited Kerala earlier this week.

Other members of the committee were Meenakshi Lekhi and Udit Raj, both Lok Sabha members. Meghwal also said the special investigation team set up should be headed by DGP.

According to him, immediately after the incident, the provisions of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act were not used and no medical board was set up. He also alleged that FIR was not filed on the same day and even after filing the FIR, the medical board was not set up.

Congress, which is in power in Kerala, hit back, with its member Gaurav Gogoi saying the rape case of a 13-year-old girl in BJP-ruled Rajasthan should also be handed over to the CBI, eliciting strong protests from the BJP.

PTI