7-year-old Kerala boy critical after brutal attack by mother’s partner

In a tragic incident from the Idukki district of Kerala, a seven-year-old boy was brutally attacked on Thursday by his mother’s partner. The incident took place in the early hours of Thursday, around 2 am, at Kumaramangalam near Thodupuzha in Idukki.

The boy, who suffered serious injuries, is still in critical condition. He is on ventilator support at a private hospital in Ernakulam. The man has been identified as 35-year-old Arun Anand, a native of Thiruvananthapuram, who has been residing with the family in Idukki since the last eight months.

In a statement given to the Thodupuzha Child Welfare Committee, the victim’s four-year-old brother said that he witnessed the man assaulting his elder brother. “The man hit the victim’s head with a stick, banged his head on the floor and dragged his head by the side of a shelf,” Dr Joseph Augustine, Chairman of the Thodupuzha Child Welfare Committee, told TNM.

According to Thodupuza Circle Inspector S Abhilash, “Blood was oozing from his head. The neighbours heard some unusual noise from the house on Thursday. They rushed him to the hospital. Arun has been taken into custody. Since the victim’s mother is at the hospital, we will register Arun’s arrest after recording her statement as well. Besides, we are waiting for the hospital report to confirm the injuries to his brain.”

The police are yet to confirm the motive behind the attack. “Arun is addicted to recreational drugs,” the CI said.

The victim’s mother and brother, too, were present at the house when the incident took place. During the attack, the younger child and the mother also sustained minor injuries. The four-year-old brother lost his teeth, said the police.

The rented house, where the incident took place, has been sealed for further investigation.

Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has asked the Idukki District officials to submit a report on the incident immediately. The CM has directed to provide all assistance for the treatment. The Child Rights Commission has registered a suo motu case against Arun. 

Similar brutalities in Idukki

Idukki is infamous for incidents of violence against children. Here are some instances from the recent past.

• In December 2018, a dance teacher tied an 11-year-old girl, stuffed her mouth with a rag and beat her up, accusing her of theft.
• In July 2018, a class 1 student was brutally beaten up by his teacher at a Vandiperiyar school in Idukki for his poor academic performance.
• In July 2017, a four-month-old infant was found dead in her cradle. Later, the father confessed to killing the infant by rocking the cradle so hard that the baby's head hit on the door. The baby bled to death. 
• In June 2017, a mother reportedly inflicted burns on her son for stealing Rs 10 rupees to buy a puff pastry. The incident took place in Kumaramangalam near Thodupuzha.
• In January 2017, a woman from Adimali and her newborn were beaten up by her husband, alleging that the baby was not his.
• In August 2016, Naseer and Saleena of Koompanpara near Adimali attacked their 10-year-old boy. Their drug addiction was cited as the reason.
• In August 2016, Naseer and Saleena of Koompanpara near Adimali attacked their 10-year-old boy. The mother, however, told the police that the monkey present at the scene attacked the boy. Parents' addiction to recreational drugs like Ganja was cited to be the reason.
• In 2013, Shafeeque, a native of Chenkaranear Kumily, was physically tortured by his father Sherif and stepmother Anisha. The boy recovered after four years of treatment and started going to school only last year.