Kozhikode: The prime accused in the case involving the brutal assault of a 12-year-old boy near Koduvally in the district has surrendered before the Koduvally police.

Abdul Razak, 53, the boy's paternal uncle, surrendered at Koduvally police station on Tuesday afternoon. He was then brought before Thamarassery court and remanded into judicial custody.

Three relatives of the boy are accused in the case. Razak’s wife and son are the other two accused and are currently absconding.

The case was registered following a directive from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). Police had issued a lookout notice for the accused. The suspects had reportedly been moving between relatives’ houses to evade arrest.

The police had been conducting searches across Kozhikode and Wayanad districts when Razak surrendered.

The incident took place on August 6. According to the boy’s complaint, he was called to nieghbouring house on the allegation that he had stolen a watch and was locked inside a room. He alleged that the accused tied his hands and legs, applied chilli powder to his wounds, poured chilli water into his eyes and inserted splinters under his toenails.

Police said the search for the other two accused has been intensified. The investigation team will seek Razak’s custody for questioning, police said.