On Children's Day, Kerala court sentences Ashwaq Alam to death for rape, murder of 5-year -old

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

Kerala has sentenced Ashwaq Alam to death for the brutal rape and murder of a 5-year-old girl from Bihar in the Aluva case. The court's decision was announced on Tuesday by Judge K Soman.

This ruling comes as a stern message on Children's Day against those who commit violence against children, said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The chief minister emphasized that the child had fallen victim to an extremely heinous crime and commended the efficiency of the criminal justice system in apprehending the culprit and ensuring maximum punishment.

Vijayan acknowledged that no amount of help or support could ever replace the loss suffered by the parents, but assured them of the government's commitment to assisting them in any way possible.

ADGP (Law and Order) M R Ajith Kumar praised the government's determination to ensure the harshest possible punishment for the accused, describing it as a rarest-of-rare case. He commended the speed with which the investigation and trial were conducted, with the accused being convicted within 100 days of the incident.

State Health Minister Veena George welcomed the verdict, stating that it would send a strong message to society about the need to protect children.

She applauded the swift completion of the probe and trial, considering it a remarkable achievement. Minister George emphasized the importance of raising awareness about children's rights and ensuring their safety.

It is worth noting that the court's decision was pronounced on Children's Day, which also marked the 11th anniversary of the enactment of the POCSO Act on November 14, 2012.

The victim's parents were present in court when the sentence was announced. Alam, who was convicted on November 4, had argued that he was