Pathanamthitta false POCSO case: Released youth alleges brutal custodial torture

PATHANAMTHITTA: A youth taken into custody in connection with a sexual assault complaint filed by a 13-year-old girl has alleged brutal custodial torture by the police in Konni, Pathanamthitta. The allegations surface after a police investigation revealed that the minor's complaints against her classmates and others were completely fabricated following a relationship breakup.

The youth alleged that officers severely assaulted him while he was in custody, stomping on his legs with boots, pulling his hair, and twisting his ears. He stated that the police continued the physical abuse despite him informing them that he had recently undergone a bypass surgery. According to the youth, he was detained on the evening of the third of the month and was only released the following evening. He also claimed that minor children were kept at the police station during this period, and that the police had initially detained his brother in a case of mistaken identity before releasing him.

The case originated when the ninth-grade student claimed during a school counselling session that she had been sexually exploited by ten people, including her classmates. Following her disclosure, the school authorities informed Childline, who subsequently alerted the police. Based on the girl's statement, the police registered two cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, as she alleged that the assaults took place at both her residence and her school.

Following the registration of the cases, the police took six individuals into custody, including four minors. However, during detailed interrogation, investigators noticed significant contradictions in the girl's statements, which raised suspicions. A subsequent medical examination officially confirmed that no sexual exploitation had occurred.

According to the police assessment, the girl had been in a relationship with a classmate and fabricated the allegations out of resentment after they broke up two weeks ago. All six detained individuals were released by the police on Saturday evening after the medical reports and statement contradictions came to light. The police have stated that a detailed investigation will continue to look into the circumstances that led to the creation of the false complaint.