As the controversy over an alleged attempt to sabotage a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) case involving a lawyer continues to rage, the Pathanamthitta District Collector has been tasked with conducting an inquiry into the matter.
According to sources, the Department of Women and Child Development has issued an order directing District Collector S. Prem Krishnan to conduct a detailed investigation. Acting on this directive, the official has sought explanations from both the District Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and the District Police Chief.
“The inquiry has commenced and the CWC chairman has been summoned to appear for a hearing on Wednesday to present his version of events,” an official confirmed.
The controversy stems from a report submitted by the District Police Chief, which hinted at alleged efforts within the office of the District Child Welfare Committee to settle the case quietly. Konni Deputy Superintendent of Police T.K. Rajappan and Circle Inspector and Station House Officer P. Sreejith have been suspended for alleged negligence, based on the Police Chief’s report.
The CWC chairperson, meanwhile, has approached the Chief Minister, accusing the police leadership of shielding senior officers while scapegoating junior personnel.
The case pertained to the alleged sexual abuse of a 16-year-old girl by Noushad Thottathil, a lawyer, with the assistance of a relative of the survivor. Despite the girl’s father filing a complaint in August last year, the case was registered only three-and-a-half months later, raising serious questions about police inaction.
Custodial death case
Meanwhile, the investigation into the Koipuram custodial death case has been handed over to the State Crime Branch, citing the gravity of the incident.
The case, initially assigned to the District Crime Branch, involves the death of 57-year-old Dalit man K.M. Suresh, a resident of Varayannur in Pathanamthitta. He was taken into custody on March 16 for allegedly smoking ganja. Just six days after his release, Suresh was found hanging from a tree on a plantation 25 km from his house, under the jurisdiction of the Konni police station.
Allegations of custodial abuse soon surfaced, with the victim’s family claiming foul play and sparking public protests. In response, a high-level inquiry was ordered. Koipuram Circle Inspector G. Suresh Kumar has already been suspended over accusations of custodial assault that allegedly led to Suresh’s death by suicide.
Published – June 10, 2025 06:56 pm IST
