Inflicted burn injuries on seven-year-old son with heated spatula; case registered against man in Kochi

KOCHI: The police have registered a case against a father for allegedly beating his seven-year-old son and inflicting burn injuries on him with a heated spatula. He has been charged under non-bailable sections of the Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act. The child revealed the horrific abuse only after undergoing several days of counselling. The boy, who is currently under the protection of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) at a shelter home, was initially hesitant to speak out about his father's cruelty.

The seven-year-old was admitted to Ernakulam Medical College Hospital on June 1 evening with burn injuries across his body. At first, he told doctors that he was injured after an induction cooker fell on him. After eight days of treatment, he was presented for counselling by the CWC and later moved to a shelter home. It was during his stay at the shelter home that he disclosed the alleged abuse.

The child had been living with his father, grandmother, and two siblings after his parents separated. According to reports, the father became angry after the child returned from a religious study centre. The child allegedly said that he was burned after he threw away a religious book and urinated. Neighbours had earlier informed police that they heard loud cries from the house on the evening of May 31. Meanwhile, the father has approached the High Court seeking custody of the child.