The Kerala High Court on Wednesday initiated a suo motu case over the recent death of an 18-month-old toddler named Arshid, allegedly due to physical abuse by his mother's live-in partner. .A Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syamkumar VM has ordered the State government to file a report on the steps taken so far in the case. "Government Pleader takes notice for the respondents. Government Pleader is directed to file a report in the form of an affidavit with the steps taken so far with regard to the tragic death of the 1.5 yr old child who succumbed to weeks of horrific systematic torture allegedly by his stepfather. Matter shall be listed after 1 week. Report on progress of investigation shall also be filed in a sealed envelope," the Court said. .On May 29, baby Arshid was rushed to a local hospital on claims that he had choked on food. The toddler died soon after. A medical examination revealed several internal injuries apart from visible injuries, including cigarette burns.The child's mother's live-in partner, A Ashkar, was arrested soon after on suspicions that he had physically abused the child.The child's mother, 24-year-old Akhila, has also been booked and arrested in the case registered by the police in the matter, amid allegations that she failed to shield the toddler from abuse.The case drew widespread outrage, more so after a video surfaced on social media in which Akhila was seen holding the toddler while he had both hands in plaster casts. In response to a query, Akhila was seen claiming in the video that the child had suffered the injuries after falling off a cycle.After the child's death, questions arose about the serious neglect and patterns of abuse that Arshid was subjected to before he succumbed to his injuries.His maternal grandmother claimed that she had earlier reported concerns about baby Arshid's welfare to the police and a child welfare officer, to no avail.An audio clip also surfaced where the grandmother's claims about such suspected abuse were brushed aside by a child welfare officer.The Court today took serious note of this lapse."Why did the Women and Child Development Department not take any action in spite of the grandmother filing a complaint?" Chief Justice Soumen Sen asked the government counsel..The matter will be heard further after a week. .[Read Order]
