In a tragic incident that has shocked the state of Kerala, a 25-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly beating his two-and-a-half-year-old daughter to death in Malappuram district. The incident, which occurred in the Udirampoyil area on March 24, has prompted the Kerala High Court to take suo motu cognizance and initiate proceedings to formulate a protocol for police intervention in such cases.
According to police reports, the accused, identified as Mohammed Fayiz, brought his daughter Nasrin to a hospital in Wandoor, claiming she had choked on her food. However, doctors conducting the autopsy revealed that Nasrin’s cause of death was clotting inside the brain, with her ribs also found to be broken, indicating severe assault. Further examinations showed several external injuries on her body, suggesting prolonged abuse over at least a week.
The police have arrested Mohammed Fayiz and charged him under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code, along with Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act. Investigations suggest that the assault on Nasrin may have been a result of ongoing marital disputes between Fayiz and his wife, who was not present during the incident. Earlier complaints by Fayiz’s wife regarding financial neglect were reportedly settled amicably.
A relative of the accused, speaking anonymously, disclosed that Fayiz had a history of regularly beating his daughter, often causing her distress audible to neighbors. Despite concerns raised by neighbors, Fayiz and his family kept Nasrin hidden indoors, preventing others from witnessing her condition.
Responding to this harrowing case, the Kerala High Court took immediate action, expressing shock at the incident and highlighting the need for intervention in such cases involving children as victims of violence. Justice Devan Ramachandran, presiding over the case, emphasized the court’s responsibility under parents patriae jurisdiction to protect vulnerable children from harm. The court proposed a protocol for timely police intervention in similar cases, targeting the State Police Chief, the Superintendent of Police Malappuram, and the concerned Station House Officer as respondents.
The court’s proactive stance in addressing this tragic event underscores the urgency of safeguarding children’s welfare and ensuring swift justice in cases of abuse and violence against minors. The matter is set to be listed as a suo motu writ petition in the coming week, signaling a significant step towards preventing such heartbreaking incidents in the future.
Sources By Agencies
