In an era when atrocities have become common in the State of Kerala which has become immune to shock, a 5 year old boy was brutalised to an inch of his life, sent shockwaves across the whole society. A five year old boy–the son of a Muslim father and Hindu mother, had to endure days of systematic torture at the hands of his father Sherif and stepmother Aneesha whom the father had married after divorcing the child’s mother. The incident was reported in Idukky district recently.
The child had serious head injury, a broken leg and wounds all over the body when he was admitted in the hospital. Apart from these injuries, his body was found to have been scoured by nails. The boy’s father and stepmother were arrested and charged with attempt to murder.
The doctors attending the child at St. John’s Hospital at Kattappana in Idukky district said he slipped into coma and is on ventilator support. The doctors fear the boy may suffer from permanent brain damage even if he survives. Officials say the five-year-old cannot be shifted to another hospital due to his critical condition. The government has announced full financial assistance for his medical treatment.
The boy’s father Sherif and stepmother Aneesha were arrested and produced before a court in Peermedu in Idukky which remanded them to 14 days in judicial custody. The police said the boy has a brother who lives in an orphanage. Sherif and Aneesha brought the child to the hospital a few days ago claiming the child suffered injuries from a fall while taking his bath.
But the doctors, who examined the child, immediately informed the police. Apart from being brutally beaten up leading to deep injuries on the head and chin, the child’s body was found to have been battered by nails. Even as the parents have been arrested for attempt to murder, there are relatives who have flocked the hospital to claim the child. But the hospital staff has been given clear instructions by the State’s child protection body not to handover the child to anyone.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said his government may consider a separate law to check the recurrence of such crimes. The government has formed a panel to be headed by Kerala’s Additional Chief Secretary to prepare guidelines to ensure children’s safety in the State. (VSK Kerala)
