Edappal theatre sexual abuse case: CM Pinarayi Vijayan seeks report on arrest

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has sought a report from the director-general of prosecution to find whether the arrest of the owner of the multiplex theatre at Edappal, Malappuram, on Monday was legally correct. It may be recalled that Satish, the theatre owner, had handed over to the Childline the evidence of a 10- year-old girl being sexually abused by a middle-aged man with the consent of her mother in his multiplex on April 18.

He was arrested as there was a delay of eight days in informing the police about the incident. Also the Childline was first told about the crime, instead of the police. Mr Pinarayi Vijayan, who replied to a submission by Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala in the Assembly on Tuesday, claimed that the arrest was not made after consulting senior officials. The Opposition walked out alleging insensitivity on the part of the chief minister on the issue.

Earlier, Mr Chennithala wanted the suspension of the police officers who arrested the theatre owner. "It was the theatre owner who informed the Childline about the incident with supporting visuals. Otherwise, the outside world would not have come to know about it. The arrest of the theatre owner is an act of vengeance," said Mr Chennithala. He asked the chief minister why he was delaying action against the erring police officers. The chief minister who holds the home portfolio needs no one's permission to order such action, he said.