Kerala High Court Directs CBI Probe Into Death Of 23 Children In Palakkad

The Kerala High Court on Thursday (June 11) directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to take over the investigation into 23 child deaths in Palakkad District over 13 years.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. passed the order while hearing a public interest litigation, concerning investigations into cases involving the unnatural death of children in Palakkad District. The Bench noted that despite an earlier direction issued on February 19, 2026, seeking the present status of several cases, the CBI had not yet filed a report on those matters.However, after examining the Crime Branch's status report regarding one of the cases registered in Kollengode Police Station, the Court found sufficient grounds to transfer the investigation to the CBI.“Considering the nature of the status report, which discloses various irregularities in the investigation, we direct the Crime Branch to hand over Crime No. 21/2010 of Kollengode Police Station to the CBI, which shall take over the matter from the Crime Branch. All records connected thereto, including the post-mortem report, shall be made available to the CBI by the investigating agency.” the Court ordered.The Bench directed that all records connected with the case, including the post-mortem report, be handed over to the CBI.The Court also asked the CBI to respond regarding 23 cases involving children, which were referred to in a statement of facts filed by the State and affirmed by Palakkad District Police Chief Ajit Kumar, IPS. The agency has been permitted to seek further information from the State Police Administration and the District Police Chief, Palakkad, before filing its report.The Court has earlier, impleaded the Member Secretary, Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA) as an additional party respondent to the case, noting that certain social factors might have resulted in the unnatural death of the children. The Court took note of an affidavit filed by the KeLSA outlining a series of preventive and awareness measures aimed at strengthening child protection mechanisms across the State.The proposed initiatives include legal awareness programmes on child rights and protection laws, coordination with child welfare and law enforcement agencies, strengthening the role of para-legal volunteers, outreach activities in schools and vulnerable communities, counselling and sensitisation programmes, promotion of child helplines, and community-based child protection efforts.The Court thus directed all District Legal Services Authorities and Taluk Legal Services Committees to implement these measures and submit monthly compliance reports to the Chairman of KeLSA. The Member Secretary of KeLSA was instructed to ensure strict adherence to the directions.The matter is posted to 6 August for further consideration. Case Title: Salil Lal Ahmed K and Ors. v State of Kerala Case No: WP(PIL) 116/ 2025Counsel for Petitioners: B.G. Harindranath (Sr.), P.V. Jeevesh, C.R. Neelakandan Namboothiri.Counsel for Respondents: Maitreyi Sachindanda Hegde, Thoufeek (DGP), P. Narayanan (Spl. GP to DGP), Sajju S (Sr. GP), Deepika K. Sasi, Navaneeth GopanClick Here To Read/ Download Interim Order

Kerala High Court Directs CBI Probe Into Death Of 23 Children In Palakkad

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Kerala High Court Directs CBI Probe Into Death Of 23 Children In Palakkad

Anamika MJ

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