Kerala: Panel seeks report from superintendent of police in minor abuse case

KOCHI: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has sought a report from the superintendent of police, Lakshadweep, on a complaint regarding sexual harassment of a minor in Minicoy. The Commission has asked the SP to submit a copy of the FIR filed in the case and also that of the medico-legal report. It also sought a copy of the statement recorded under Section 164 of CrPC before the magistrate as well as the action taken against the accused and the present status of the minor. The Commission has queried whether a charge-sheet was filed in the special court.

The Lakshadweep administration is yet to take any concrete action over the police brutality on August 25 on the islanders including Dr Abdul Muneer, who lodged the complaint with the Commission, following their protest demanding justice to the child and her mother. The twin demands of a judicial inquiry into the police brutality and CBI investigation into the case of the child sex racket operated by the influential Minicoy native K. Moosa who was arrested from Nedumbassery earlier, are yet to be met.

The islanders had alleged that Mr Moosa enjoyed all privileges in the hands of Lakshadweep police who even revealed the identity of a minor girl victim. Interestingly, the Lakshadweep SP in his report to the director of the Lakshadweep administration said, “during the enquiry by the DySP, not even a single victim or eyewitness came forward to furnish their statement stating that they do not have trust in the enquiry by a police officer and demanded an independent enquiry.” However, Dr Muneer said that this was a false claim and in reality, the Minicoy natives demanded an independent inquiry.