Attack on minor boy in Kerala: Case filed against relatives

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The Koduvally police in Kozhikode, Keralam, have registered a case against three persons from a family as part of the continuing investigation into the alleged physical and mental assault of a 12-year-old boy by his father’s close relatives on suspicion of theft.

The case was registered against Abu Razak, his wife, Zeenath, and their son following the intervention of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), which had directed the Kozhikode Rural police to conduct an inquiry into the incident which reportedly took place last week. Police sources said the suspects were the child’s paternal uncle, wife and son.

According to the complaint, the boy was called to his paternal uncle’s house at Koduvally, confined to a room and allegedly assaulted after his hands and legs were tied. The child revealed to the police that chilli powder was applied to his wounds and chilli water was poured into his eyes. He also revealed that splinters were inserted under his toenails.

The boy who escaped from the house was taken to the Koduvally police station by a passerby. However, there were reportedly no moves to verify the complaint. A watch he was accused of stealing was later recovered from the accused persons’ house.

The incident was brought to the notice of the District Child Protection Officer, following which the CWC intervened and sought a report from the District Police Chief (Kozhikode rural). The boy and his family were provided counselling and he was shifted to a temporary shelter as a protective measure on August 19.

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