Third POCSO case filed against 25-year-old woman in Kasaragod

According to police reports, the incident occurred at the victim's home, where Merlin—a known acquaintance of the girl's mother—allegedly assaulted the teenager while she was asleep.

Published Jun 13, 2026 | 12:02 AM ⚊ Updated Jun 13, 2026 | 12:02 AM

Child sexual abuse. (Representative image)

Synopsis: Her history of alleged exploitation is characterized by a predatory pattern: she reportedly groomed minors with gifts—ranging from gold ornaments to electronic devices—and coerced them through blackmail, often using recorded videos to silence her victims.

At just 25 years old, Sneha Merlin is once again in the dock for allegedly sexually abusing children.

The Melparamba police in Kasaragod have registered a fresh case against her under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, marking the third such instance of serious allegations leveled against the Kannur native.

The latest charges stem from a complaint by a 16-year-old girl.

According to police reports, the incident occurred at the victim’s home, where Merlin—a known acquaintance of the girl’s mother—allegedly assaulted the teenager while she was asleep.

The harrowing ordeal only came to light during a recent school counseling session, where the victim finally found the courage to disclose the abuse she had long kept hidden due to fear.

This new case adds to a disturbing and growing criminal record.

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Earlier cases

Merlin, a resident of Pulliparamba, is already facing a series of similar accusations.

Her history of alleged exploitation is characterized by a predatory pattern: she reportedly groomed minors with gifts—ranging from gold ornaments to electronic devices—and coerced them through blackmail, often using recorded videos to silence her victims.

Her previous legal troubles include:

She was taken into custody in March 2025 after a teacher discovered adult content on a 12-year-old’s phone, which led to the uncovering of systemic abuse. Further investigations revealed she had allegedly targeted the 12-year-old’s 15-year-old brother, as well as a 14-year-old boy whom she reportedly blackmailed.
Beyond the sexual assault cases, Merlin has also been implicated in other criminal acts, including a physical altercation involving a local political leader.

With the current charges involving grave sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the POCSO Act—including aggravated sexual assault—authorities state that a conviction could result in a minimum of 20 years to life imprisonment.

(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)