Kerala rape and murder: No major lapses in probe's initial stage, say police

Kochi: With Kerala Police yet to find any success in nabbing the accused in the brutal rape and murder of a Dalit woman a week ago, its chief TP Senkumar has rejected suggestions that there were any major lapses by the force initially which have impacted the probe. After holding meeting with the top cops supervising the case at nearby Perumbavoor late evening on Thursday, Senkumar said “a scientific, professional investigation” is progressing in the case but admitted that they could not reach a “sudden detection.” “We are doing a professional work. Many experts in the police team have been called in to assist the probe. We are taking all types of inputs. Scientific, professional investigation is on. We have not reached a sudden detection but the probe is in progress,” he told reporters. [caption id=“attachment_2768374” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. AFP[/caption] The top police officer said there were “not much lapses” from the local police in the initial stage of the investigation. “If there is any minor lapses, we don’t need to examine that at this stage. Nothing impacting the investigation has happened. Investigation team is doing a very good professional work. I am sure that it will succeed,” he said. Senkumar said many personnel in state police, who are experts in investigating the crime, have joined the special investigation team to assist them in the probe. On Thursday, Chief Investigating officer DySP Anil Kumar was removed and A B Jijimon appointed to head the team probing the rape and murder of the 30-year-old law student at her home at Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district on 28 April. State Home Minister has said the shake-up was done as Jijimon has a better understanding of Perumbavoor area. Meanwhile, police have continued questioning people, including some neighbours, to get a lead in the case, police sources said. Over 125 people have been questioned in connection with the case. The incident has become a major issue for the May 16 assembly polls with both ruling UDF and rival LDF trading charges.