Unnao case: Killer’s aide not minor, sent to judicial custody

LUCKNOW: While investigation into the Unnao sisters’ murder picked up pace, police disclosed on Saturday the accomplice of key accused Vinay Kumar, who claimed to be a minor, had misled police about his age. SP, Unnao, Anand Kulkarni, told TOI his lie was exposed while drafting the procedure of sending him to juvenile justice board. The court remanded both accused to judicial custody.
“The boy’s father could only produce an Aadhaar card, which showed his year of birth as 2002, which means he’s 19 years old and not 15 as claimed.Also, the family failed to provide any other certificate or document to prove he was a minor. Documents, including birth certificate and school records will be tracked down and an ossification test would be conducted to ascertain his age before producing him in court,” said Kulkarni.
Both were partners in the crime of poisoning the Unnao sisters. “The 19-year-old was aware about the murder plot, but did not inform police and this makes him culpable,” said the police officer.
A day after the funeral, families of the girls expressed satisfaction over the arrest of the killers, but said their daughters’ soul would rest in peace only when the duo get death sentence.
An inconsolable mother of 16-year-old girl, said, “I had vowed not to sip water till the culprits are arrested. Today, I am relieved by the police action, but the duo should be swiftly convicted. My five-year-old son will now fulfil the ambition of his sister to become a doctor.”
The grandfather of the 13-year-old deceased girl, said, justice will be delivered only after the duo is hanged. “We thank God, the accused have been nabbed swiftly,” he said.