Thodupuzha: The mother of the seven-year-old boy, who was brutally killed by her live-in partner at Thodupuzha in Kerala’s Idukki district, was arrested after the police secured enough evidence against her. The contradictions in her statements convinced the investigators that she was not above board. The police have also begun a probe into the death of her husband, a Thiruvananthapuram native.
The woman was arrested on Friday.
The horrendous incident happened in late March when the boy, a class 2 student, was tortured and killed by the woman’s partner Arun, who was soon arrested.
The role of the woman, a widow with two kids, was dubious in the case and the police were mulling on whether to turn her into a witness or term her an accused.
The woman, who took the grievously injured child to private hospitals in Thodupuzha and then in Kolenchery, said that the child had suffered injuries after falling from the sofa. However, her partner Arun had said that the child was injured while playing.
The police probe then focussed on the contradictions in both their statements.
The police also suspected that the woman was trying to get Arun off the case and destroy evidence.
After Arun was arrested, the police again took the woman's statements. Then she said that the child suffered injuries after Arun assaulted him. She even said that Arun used to hit her in front of the kids as well.
The woman also showed the police.the wounds she had due to assault. When the cops questioned why she did not reveal about Arun assaulting the kids, she said that she was afraid her partner would attack her as well.
Delayed arrest?
The police inaction was slammed , especially on social media, after the woman’s arrest got delayed. There were also allegations that the police were showing laxity due to political interventions.
The CPI, part of the ruling front in the state, also sought a Crime Branch probe.
The Idukki Child Welfare committee had submitted a report that the woman had failed to ensure the safety of her children and sought her arrest.
However, DySP K P Jose said that the police were not under any pressure and that the woman was arrested after gathering evidence against her. The charge-sheet will be submitted soon. The police would also file a charge-sheet against Arun under the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
A huge angry crowd had gathered when the woman was taken for medical tests at Thodupuzha district hospital and a private hospital, and later for evidence gathering.
