Kerala molestation case turns murky, minor survivor’s mother arrested

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala police on Sunday arrested the mother of the minor girl who was molested in a cinema theatre by a businessman in Malappuram district, claiming she was aware of the sexual assault on the child.

The main accused, Moyideen Kutty, a middle-aged businessman, was arrested on Saturday after CCTV clippings of the twohour-long assault were aired on a news channel and went viral on the internet.

Both Kutty and the girl’s mother have been charged under provisions of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act. Kerala Women’s Commission chairperson MC Josephine said preliminary investigation showed the minor was abused with the connivance of her mother.

The incident took place on April 18. The night vision cameras in the theatre captured video footage of the man, flanked by a middle-aged woman on his right and a minor girl on his left, engaging in sexual acts with both.

The theatre owner checked the CCTV visuals after a viewer alerted him about the incident. He immediately called childline officials who, in turn, informed police. But they failed to initially register a case against the accused. They only swung into action on Saturday when the media exposed the incident.

“There are serious lapses on the part of police and senior officers are looking into them,” Josephine said.

After police inaction evoked widespread criticism, the sub-inspector of Changarakulam was suspended and action is likely against more officers. Action is likely against more police officers who tried to hush up the case.

The state human rights commission has also ordered an inquiry against officers who tried to delay probe in the case despite possessing strong evidence. Josephine also met the owner of the theatre and lauded his effort in exposing the incident.

ASSAULTED EARLIER AS WELL, SAYS VICTIM

The girl told police she had been assaulted by the accused earlier too. She gave a detailed statement before a magistrate and later underwent medical tests. She was later shifted to a rescue home. The women’s commission said she will be given the best care and counselling. Kutty runs a number of jewellery shops and restaurants, besides owning a lodge. The mother and the daughter were reportedly occupying one of the rooms here and were often taken by him in his luxury car, said residents.

THE STATE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION HAS ALSO ORDERED AN INQUIRY AGAINST OFFICERS WHO TRIED TO DELAY A PROBE INTO THE CASE