Published Jun 17, 2026 | 1:02 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 17, 2026 | 1:04 PM
The initial probe revealed a chilling pattern of cruelty that preceded Arshid's death (supplied).
Synopsis: The death of 18-month-old Arshid, who had suffered prolonged abuse from her mother’s live-in partner, sparked even greater outrage when it emerged that his grandmother’s pleas to authorities fell on deaf ears.
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday initiated suo motu proceedings in the torture and death of 18-month-old Arshid in Nedumangadu and directed the state government to submit a detailed report on the investigation and actions taken so far.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar VM asked the government pleader to file an affidavit outlining the steps taken in connection with the toddler’s death, allegedly caused by prolonged physical abuse at the hands of his mother’s live-in partner, A Ashkar.
The court also ordered that a report on the progress of the criminal investigation be submitted in a sealed cover.
Arshid was found to have been inflicted with 91 injuries, including seven fractures.
Taking serious note of the circumstances leading to the child’s death, the bench highlighted allegations that the Thiruvananthapuram District Child Protection Officer failed to act despite repeated warnings from the child’s grandmother about possible abuse.
The court issued notices to the State Police Chief, the Women and Child Development Department and the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA).
Accepting the government’s submission, it also impleaded the Secretary of the Social Justice Department as an additional respondent.
Arshid was taken to hospital on May 29 after claims that he had choked on food but died soon after.
Medical examinations reportedly revealed multiple internal injuries, fractures and burn marks.
Ashkar and the child’s mother, Akhila, have since been arrested.
The case sparked widespread outrage after reports emerged that the child’s grandmother, Reena, had alerted child protection authorities weeks earlier about severe injuries allegedly caused by repeated abuse.
An audio clip purportedly revealed officials dismissing her concerns.
On 12 June, Women and Child Development Minister Bindu Krishna ordered strict action against lapses within the District Child Protection Unit and directed the dismissal of a temporary staff member accused of failing to intervene despite receiving complaints and photographic evidence of the child’s injuries.
(With inputs from Dileep V Kumar.)
