13-year-old beaten brutally by stepfather in Keralam’s Kollam; Minister orders probe

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Keralam Women and Child Development Minister Bindu Krishna has directed the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to register a suo motu case and initiate strict action following disturbing visuals of a 13-year-old boy being brutally assaulted by his stepfather in Chadayamangalam, Kollam.

Describing the incident as extremely grave and unacceptable, the Minister said that no form of violence against children would be tolerated. She has instructed the District Police Chief (Kollam Rural) and the District Women and Child Development Officer to take immediate action.

Additionally, the District Child Protection Officer has been directed to visit the child’s family at the earliest to assess their situation, initiate necessary follow-up measures, and ensure the boy receives immediate psychological support, including counselling.

Urging the public to remain vigilant, the Minister appealed to citizens to immediately report any instances of child abuse or violence to the department, assuring strict intervention and uncompromising legal action against the culprits.

The shocking incident occurred on Thursday in Kuriyode, Chadayamangalam. According to reports, the stepfather, arrived home in an inebriated state, dragged the boy out of his room into the hall by his clothes, stripped him, and beat him mercilessly with a stick. The brutality came to light after the child’s mother recorded the assault on video and the footage went public, prompting the Chadayamangalam police to launch an investigation. The mother revealed to the police that the step father harbors resentment toward the boy from her first marriage and frequently subjects him to physical abuse.

Meanwhile, the Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has also registered a suo motu case based on media reports. The Commission has sought an immediate explanation regarding the incident from the Kollam District Police Chief (Kollam Rural), Chadayamangalam Station House Officer (SHO), and the District Child Protection Officer.

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