The Palluruthy police in Kochi have arrested a 76-year-old man in connection with a child sexual abuse case filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The accused, identified as Muhammad Sali, a resident of Kollesheri Road in Palluruthy, was taken into custody following a complaint lodged by the mother of a 9th-grade schoolgirl, as reported in OnManorama.
According to police sources, the investigation pertains to separate incidents involving the survivor. The primary allegations date back approximately two years, when the minor was a student in class 7. The accused, who was known to the family as a neighbour, allegedly groped the girl on multiple occasions. However, these incidents were not reported at the time.
The matter came to light recently when the accused approached the survivor again. Although no physical assault occurred during this latest encounter, the accused made inappropriate verbal references to the past abuse and attempted to solicit the minor further. Following this incident, the survivor confided in her mother, prompting the family to approach the Palluruthy Police Station and seek legal recourse.
A formal case was registered after the victim’s statements were recorded, and the accused was subsequently arrested. The police have confirmed that since the recent interaction constituted a repeated attempt to solicit the minor, the statutory charges encompass both the initial acts of abuse and the subsequent harassment.
The accused was produced before a court on Monday (6 July 2026) afternoon and has been remanded to judicial custody. Further investigations are underway.
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