Custodial torture allegation clouds probe into POCSO case at Koodal in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta

A day after the police concluded that the sexual abuse allegations made by a 13-year-old girl were false, the case has taken a new turn with a 20-year-old youth accusing the police of custodial torture.The youth, who was taken into custody during the investigation, has lodged a complaint with Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala alleging that he was tortured by a police team led by Koodal sub-inspector Jayamohan. According to the complaint, the officers arrived at his house in plainclothes, forcibly took him away in a car and repeatedly interrogated him despite his insistence that he neither knew the girl nor the others named in the case.

The complainant alleged that although he informed the police that he had recently undergone a heart surgery, they ignored his pleas and assaulted him. “The police beat the soles of my feet with canes, stamped on them with their boots and pulled me up by my ears,” the complaint said.The youth’s brother also alleged that the police had initially detained him by mistake before taking his sibling into custody.

Widespread protestsThe allegations have triggered widespread protests, with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) staging a demonstration in front of the Koodal police station on Monday (July 6, 2026).Meanwhile, the police have decided to conduct a detailed investigation to dispel the lingering doubts surrounding the case. Officials said the investigators remain unconvinced that the girl would have levelled allegations of such gravity against 10 persons solely because of disappointment over a romantic relationship.

Probe revivedAlthough the Koodal police had initially decided to close the case after concluding that the complaint was false, the investigation was revived following the intervention of the District Police Chief. As the case falls under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the girl, who is currently under the care of the Child Welfare Committee, will undergo another round of counselling. The refer report will be filed only after the investigation is completed.

The police questioned six persons, including four minors, in connection with the case. Besides the 20-year-old complainant, the parents of the other youths questioned by the police have also demanded an inquiry into the manner in which the investigation involving their children was conducted.The police have registered two FIRs in connection with the case.

Although the Koodal police initiated steps to close the cases, the District Police Chief directed them not to proceed in haste and instructed that the investigation be completed before any final decision is taken. Published - July 06, 2026 07:09 pm IST Read Comments Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit READ LATER SEE ALL Remove