Kerala: Call for harsh charge on girl's abuser

Malappuram: Putting the police in the dock again in the theatre sexual abuse case, the district Child Welfare Committee and Childline have demanded to charge Kankunnath Moideen Kutty, 60, with stringent provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (Pocso) Act.  They alleged that the police had not charged proper sections, though the visuals clearly showed he committing grave sexual assault on the minor girl and demanded to slap Section 5 (M) of the Pocso Act. The police charged only Sections 9, 10 and 16.  

“It is very clear from the video evidence that this was an aggravated penetrative sexual offence. The applicable section of the law for this offence is 5 (m) which deals with aggravated sexual assault on children below 12 years,” Childline district coordinator Anwar Karakkadan said.  “The police should alter the charges and slap more stringent sections 5(M) and 6 of the Pocso Act.” These sections ensure a minimum punishment of 10 years in jail, which can extend to life term and a fine.

The Child Welfare Committee, which sent the girl to a care home, too has confirmed that the offence was aggravated sexual assault as per the Pocso Act. 
“The CWC member has found that the child underwent aggravated penetrative sexual assault. It’s up to the investigation officers to alter the charge as per the statement from the victim,” CWC chairman M. Manikandan said.

However, Police is going ahead with the probe as per the current charges.  The District Crime Records Bureau DySP Saji Varghese who is probing the case said that necessary changes in the charges would only be made in next stages of the investigation.  The Police has also collected the CCTV visual from the theatre in Edappal. 

Mr Kutty was arrested on Saturday after the video in which he was caught abusing the minor girl, and the police inaction on the Childline report came to light through media.  The mother of the girl was arrested on Sunday for helping the Mr Kutty in the crime.  Both were remanded for 14 days by the court and lodged in Manjeri sub-jail.