GUWAHATI: A one-and-a-half-year-old toddler allegedly died after being subjected to prolonged physical abuse in Kerala’s Panavoor area near Nedumangad, around 20 kilometres from Thiruvananthapuram. The child, identified as Arshid, was rushed to a hospital on May 31 after he reportedly began coughing and vomiting blood. Doctors declared him brought dead.
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Police have arrested the child’s mother, Akhila (24), and her live-in partner, Ashkar (31), in connection with the death. The case was initially registered as an unnatural death following complaints from the child’s grandparents, who alleged that Arshid had been repeatedly abused by the two accused.
According to reports, the post-mortem examination revealed 51 injuries on the child’s body, including fresh wounds, old scars, multiple fractures and burn marks. The report stated that the toddler died due to severe injuries to the chest and head. Doctors recorded seven fractured ribs, internal injuries, and swelling and bleeding inside the skull.
Police reportedly said that the child’s arms had previously been fractured and that burn injuries were found on his genitals and the sole of his right foot. Investigators suspect the injuries were inflicted over an extended period. Authorities believe the rib fractures may have resulted from Ashkar allegedly stamping on the child’s chest, causing serious internal damage.
According to police, Arshid had been seen with casts on both arms nearly a month before his death. Neighbours were reportedly told that the injuries occurred after the child fell from a bicycle. The same explanation was allegedly given by the mother during an interaction with a social media content creator on May 16, when the child was photographed with both arms in plaster.
Investigators said Akhila and Ashkar had been living together for around five months. Akhila’s husband, Akhil, had died by suicide before the child was born. Police also stated that Ashkar had previously been married and that allegations of abuse had been raised by his wife’s family, though no formal complaint had been filed.
During interrogation, police said Ashkar confessed to assaulting the child and allegedly stated that he viewed Arshid as an obstacle in his relationship with Akhila. Investigators alleged that he routinely beat the toddler and at times stuffed cloth into his mouth to suppress his cries.
Police further alleged that on May 29, Ashkar struck the child on the head after he cried loudly. Investigators claim that after confirming the child was unresponsive, he cleaned the house, destroyed evidence and later took the toddler to hospital, where he allegedly told medical staff that the child had choked on food and lost consciousness.
In her statement to police, Akhila reportedly admitted that she was aware of the assaults and had witnessed multiple incidents of abuse but did not intervene. Police said additional charges may be considered against her as the investigation progresses.
Authorities have invoked provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against Ashkar.