Published Oct 14, 2026 | 4:50 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 14, 2026 | 4:50 PM
18-year-old Muhammad Aslam, was found hanging from a metal truss on the terrace of his house on October 6.
The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has registered a suo motu case over the suicide of a minor boy in Thrissur district’s Eriyad, after his father alleged that his son was tortured in custody, along with his elder brother, by police personnel at the Kodungallur Janamaithri Police Station.
According to Noushad, his 18-year-old son, Muhammad Aslam, was found hanging from a metal truss on the terrace of their house on October 6, a day after visiting his elder brother, who had been jailed after allegedly being falsely implicated in a case.
The suspected suicide came days after both Aslam and his 22-year-old brother, Sahal, were allegedly subjected to “brutal” torture in police custody.
In a Facebook post in Malayalam, Noushad named two police officers, Circle Inspector Baiju and Sub-Inspector Athul Mohanan, and accused them of assaulting his sons.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the matter, the Child Rights Commission has sought reports from the Thrissur District Police Chief and the District Child Protection Officer.
The commission’s intervention came amid demands for an inquiry into the circumstances that led to the minor’s death.
In his Facebook post, Noushad alleged that his sons were tortured in police custody over three days.
Noushad, a taxi driver, said he was informed by the CI of his minor son Aslam’s detention on September 27, and was asked to come to the police station immediately.
Since he was on a trip with passengers, Noushad called his elder son Sahal and asked him to go to the station to inquire about Aslam.
Noushad managed to reach the station after 10:30 pm on September 27 and found that his elder son had been placed in a cell while his minor son was seated on a bench. According to the post, the CI told Noushad that his younger son had threatened a girl over the phone and obtained 20 sovereigns of gold and ₹50,000 from her. The officer also allegedly claimed that the money had been used to buy an Innova car and said an FIR had been registered against him.
Aslam denied the allegations and told his father that he had been in a relationship with the girl for over two years and that when her family found out about the affair, they took away her phone, leaving him unable to contact her. This allegedly prompted him to go to her home. According to Noushad, Aslam told him that he had gone to the girl’s house and asked for water, after which her family called the police.
Noushad alleged that the case against his sons was fabricated at the behest of the girl’s family.
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Noushad also alleged that his elder son, who had no involvement in the case, was falsely implicated once he told police officers that he would take all the blame after witnessing them torture Aslam in front of him.
According to the post, Sahal told Noushad that the police officers brutally assaulted Aslam in front of him, including kicking him in the abdomen, squeezing his genitals, forcing him to bend over while repeatedly beating him, and striking his neck.
The father further alleged that the brothers were kept in custody for three days before being produced before the appropriate authorities. He also alleged that the police recorded their arrest falsely and he was forced to sign the paper after his lawyer advised him that it would help get them bail.
Aslam was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board on September 29 and granted bail on October 4, while Sahal continues to remain in judicial remand, according to the father.
Noushad alleged that his sons were denied medical care despite him informing the Juvenile Justice Board member that they had sustained injuries in alleged custodial torture.
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According to Noushad, two days after he got out on bail, Aslam insisted on visiting his elder brother in the jail. He was accompanied by his mother, as Noushad was busy with work.
Both brothers broke down in tears when they met, Noushad said.
On the way home, Aslam told his mother he wanted to eat Mandi. They also packed some food for his brother.
“Little did she know it would be his last wish,” Noushad wrote in his post.
Noushad also said he spoke to his son in the night before he went to bed. The next morning, he was woken up by a neighbour and found Aslam hanging on the terrace of their home.
Noushad has demanded an investigation into the role of the police officials in his son’s death.
The allegations of custodial torture and illegal detention are yet to be established.
(If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Tele Manas – 14416 (available 24×7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences helpline – 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)
(Edited by Fayisa CA)
