Shocking details have emerged in the murder of a one-and-a-half-year-old child, Arshid, in Nedumangad near the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram. The child was allegedly brutally killed by Ashkar, the boyfriend of his mother, Akhila. According to reports, Arshid had 56 injuries on his body, including multiple burn marks allegedly caused by lit cigarettes. Even his feet and armpits bore burn injuries. Akhila and Ashkar have been arrested in connection with the case. Akhila’s first husband, Akhil, reportedly died by suicide a year ago, after which Ashkar began living with her.
Ashkar allegedly confessed to the police that he smashed the child’s head against a wall when the boy cried. The post-mortem report stated that Arshid died due to internal bleeding in the head. It also revealed that the child’s penis had been split vertically with a sharp object. Police said that when the child cried after the assault, Ashkar forcefully stuffed food into his mouth. He later took the child to a hospital, claiming that food had become lodged in his throat. Akhila, a professional dancer, had reportedly been in Tamil Nadu for some time, and only Ashkar and the child were at home on the day of the incident. Suspecting foul play, family members of Akhil had approached the police regarding the child’s mysterious death, leading to Ashkar’s detention. Akhila was subsequently called back from Tamil Nadu.
When Ashkar was brought to the house for evidence collection, an angry crowd allegedly attacked him, forcing police to intervene and protect him. Following the post-mortem examination, the child’s body was handed over to Akhil’s father. Arshid was later laid to rest on the family property.
Further allegations have surfaced against Ashkar. His legally wedded wife has reportedly been hospitalised for the past nine months following a severe assault allegedly carried out by him. Her mother told state minister Bindu Krishna, during a visit to the hospital, that Ashkar had smashed her daughter’s head against a wall. As a result, she reportedly suffers from speech difficulties and disorientation. Ashkar’s mother-in-law has also alleged that he was responsible for the drowning death of her son, who was Ashkar’s brother-in-law.
