KOCHI: Shutting out all hopes of Rahul’s parents, the CBI on Monday submitted a closure report before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ernakulam, stating that it could not trace the boy who went missing from Alappuzha seven years ago. The report filed by K Rajagopal, Inspector, CBI Chennai unit, states that the investigation held so far has not been fruitful. The report will be considered by the court later. ‘Express’ had on January 19 published a report on the delay on the part of the CBI in tracking down the boy and unfolding the mystery surrounding the incident.It is for the second time that the CBI, the premier investigation agency in the country, is submitting a closure report in the case. In 2009, it had submitted a closure report but the court rejected it and directed the CBI to conduct a scientific investigation into the incident. Even then, the court had observed that it was premature for the CBI, being the prime investigating agency, to throw up its arms in despair, especially in a sensational case like this. It is stated in the report that the investigation centred on Rahul’s neighbour, Rojo George, did not bear fruit. It is further stated that there was no lead even after interrogating 25 persons in the locality from where Rahul went missing. “In the meantime, a body similar to that of Rahul was found in the railway track in Andhra Pradesh. Later, it was confirmed that the body was not that of Rahul,” the report said.Six-year-old Rahul, son of Mini and Raju, of Alappuzha, went missing on May 18, 2005, when he was playing cricket with his friends near his house in Ashramam Ward. The local police and the Crime Branch failed to trace him and the case was handed over to the CBI.After a preliminary inquiry conducted by the local police, the investigation was taken over by the Crime Branch. During the investigation, the Crime Branch got information that Rahul was seen walking with a person near the ground. Investigation towards this direction led to the suspected involvement of Rahul’s neighbour Rojo George.Though Rojo underwent a polygraph test, no lead emerged from it. Rahul’s father approached the High Court seeking a CBI inquiry when the Crime Branch investigation came to a standstill. The CBI had announced a reward of Rs 50,000 for those who could provide any information which could help trace the boy. The CBI took over the inquiry on June 14, 2005, and questioned various people including Rahul’s neighbours. On March 28, 2009, the CBI approached the Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate Court seeking permission to stop investigation but the court rejected it.
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