Youth arrested in 13-year-old girl’s missing case, imposes charges including POCSO

KOZHIKODE: A youth, relative of the 13-year-old girl, who went missing from Thamarassery, has been arrested in the case. The girl and the youth were found in Bengaluru yesterday. Based on the girl's statement, a case was filed against the youth under sections including POCSO.

The Karnataka Police found the 13-year-old girl. Based on the information received, the Thamarassery police reached Bengaluru and brought the girl and the youth back home last night. The eighth-class girl went missing after going to school for exams on March 11. After she went missing, her parents filed a complaint with the Thamarassery police.

During the police investigation, CCTV footage of the youth and the girl was found from a private lodge in Thrissur. The Karnataka police found them in Bengaluru after the investigation circulated to other states.

Her relatives had alleged that the youth, an accused in the POCSO case, had threatened and kidnapped the girl. It is reported that the accused had kidnapped the same girl that day. Subsequently, a case was filed under POCSO. He was remanded for more than two months.

After being released from jail, he had threatened and requested the girl's family to withdraw the complaint. The accused will be produced before the Thamarassery court soon. The girl will be handed over to her relatives by evening after completing the formalities.