Turning point in missing case of 13-year-old boy; POCSO case against palmist

KOCHI: More information has emerged in the case of the 13-year-old boy, who went missing from Edappally yesterday morning. The boy was found from Thodupuzha bus stand. A palmist identified as Shashi Kumar informed about the boy to his family. However, after questioning the boy and Shashi Kumar in detail, POCSO sections were imposed in the case.

The boy went missing after he was dropped at Public School in Edappally, to write the SAY exam of eighth class, by his father at 8.50 am. Due to the rain, the teacher left the boy early after collecting his answer sheet. However, the boy did not return home even after 1 pm. With this, his father called the school to enquire and later filed a complaint with the police.

The boy, left Kochi and reached Thodupuzha bus stand at around 6 pm. The boy got scared as it was dark and sought help from Shashi Kumar. When the boy asked Shashi Kumar whether he could help him to reach home, the latter readily agreed. However, he took the child to his house in Thodupuzha. After reaching home, he abused the boy.

Meanwhile, the news of the missing boy came to his attention. Knowing that the incident would create an issue, he called his parents and handed him over to them. When Shashi Kumar was taken to the police station and questioned, the information of his abuse came to light. A case has been registered against him under sections 7 and 8 of POCSO Act.