Sub-inspector arrested in Edappal theatre abuse case

Malappuram: Suspended sub-inspector of Changaramkulam police station, K.G. Baby,  was arrested by the  district Crime Branch on Tuesday   for not taking action against the sexual assault on a minor girl inside a theatre  at  Edappal in April.  The case against the officer was registered on May 15 under sections 19 and 21 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and section 166 (A) of IPC for  failing to record the information and initiate action against the accused in the case.

The officer was released on bail after his arrest was  recorded.  Baby was suspended on May 12 for allegedly delaying action when the case was first reported to him on April 26.  His  arrest came just a day after theatre  owner Sathish  was held for not reporting the incident to the police.

His arrest has provoked protests from different corners. The incident took place at Sharada theatre at Edappal on April 18 when  key accused  Kankunnath Moideen Kutty was caught on CCTV sexually abusing the  minor girl with the connivance of her mother who was seated beside Kutty.   The theatre management informed the Childline about the incident on April 25. 

Film exhibitors to move court against arrest of theatre owner

 The Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK), the organisation of cinema hall owners in the state, has condemned   the arrest of Sathish,  theatre owner at  Edappal, who informed the Childline  about a minor girl being sexually assaulted inside the cinema hall.   FEUOK president Antony Perumbavoor,  general secretary M.C. Baby and other office-bearers told reporters in Kochi on Tuesday that  the organisation would move the  court against the police action.

“The  arrest  cannot be justified in any manner,”  they added.  Action was taken against the cinema hall owner to hide  the police failure in the case, they said. “The legal opinion received by us has clearly stated that the arrest of the cinema hall owner is a violation of law,”  they added.  Steps would be initiated to install CCTV cameras in all cinema halls in the state to prevent such happenings.  A notice has been issued to the members of the organisation in the matter. However,  the huge expenditure in installing the facility was  acting as a deterrent to many people, they said.