Child protection officer who ignored grandmother's complaint about toddler's abuse has been terminated: State to Kerala HC

A District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) who did take action on a call raising alarm about the possible abuse of 18-month-old Arshid weeks before the toddler's death has been dismissed from service, the State informed the Kerala High Court today. 

The call was made by Arshid’s maternal grandmother, reportedly around May 3. An audio clip also surfaced where the grandmother's claims about such suspected abuse were brushed aside by a child welfare officer.

The child died on May 29. An exam revealed serious internal and external injuries. The child’s mother and her live-in partner have been arrested in the case on suspicions that they were involved in inflicting or neglecting such abuse.

The High Court took suo motu cognisance of the case on June 17, and had earlier questioned why the call made by the toddler’s grandmother about his welfare was not taken seriously.

The State Women and Child Development Department today told a Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syamkumar VM that the officer who took the call has now been dismissed from service. 

The Court recorded the submission and noted that as per other reports submitted before it, the investigation seems to have progressed substantially. 

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.

After the High Court took suo motu cognisance of the case on June 17, it called for action taken reports from investigating authorities.

The Court today took on record the reports submitted in sealed envelopes and directed that a further report be filed within four weeks time. The matter will be taken up again after the report is submitted.