Sneha Merlin arrested for sexually abusing 14-year-old; held in fourth POCSO case

KASARGOD: Sneha Merlin, accused in a POCSO case, was arrested from her hideout. The Melparamba police arrested her for sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl in Kasargod. She was arrested from her hideout place in Kannur’s Mayyil. There are presently three POCSO cases in her name. She has been arrested now in the fourth POCSO case.

25-year-old Sneha had abused the minor girl many times. Sneha is friend of the minor girl’s mother. Sneha had stayed in the girl’s house for almost a year. The girl’s statement is that Sneha had abused her even when her mother was at home. Sneha and the girl’s mother, accused in a drug case, got acquainted when they were in Kannur jail. The brutality came to light after the girl was shifted to the shelter home. The girl’s father had also abused her and is in jail now in POCSO case.

The police said there are four cases pending against Sneha, including one for abusing siblings, a boy and a girl. She is also an accused in an assault case. She was arrested last year for sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl. The girl subjected to sexual abuse comes under the Taliparamba police station limits. The teachers, who grew suspicious on her behaviour, informed her parents. She then disclosed the whole incident during counselling.

The police said Merlin is addicted to sexual perversion. Most of the victims subjected to Sneha Merlin's sexual abuse are minors. Sneha first establishes a cordial relationship with them by presenting small gifts. She then captures private pictures of the victims and threatens them showing it. Many of the children fearing exposure did not report the abuse, allowing the exploitation to continue.