Death of baby in Nedumangad; Abetment charge against Akhila; murder charge against Ashkar

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The postmortem report says the cause of death of the one-and-a-half-year-old baby boy at Panavur in Nedumangad was injuries to the chest and head. The child's stepfather Ashkar will be charged with murder, child abuse, and prevention of SC/ST atrocities Act. The child’s mother Akhila will also face charges of abetment as investigators believe she was aware of the abuse inflicted on the child. Ashkar brutally beat the baby to death for several days because he believed that the child would be an obstacle with Akhila. On the day the baby died, Akhila was in Nagercoil for a dance programme. The police are investigating whether this was to facilitate the murder.

The police have concluded that Ashkar had planned to kill the baby for months. Ashkar had earlier pushed the child down a staircase, causing fractures to both arms. However, Ashkar and Akhila told everyone that the injuries occurred when the child fell from a cycle. When he returned home from the hospital, Ashkar removed the plaster. When the baby cried in pain, he beat him. Months ago, he had left the baby alone on a sunshade. A neighbor revealed that he moved the baby after people noticed. Ashkar had also threatened Akhila's mother that he would kill the baby.

The police are also investigating whether the accused was involved in the death of Ashkar's first wife Amina's brother. In addition, the police are investigating his role in the suicide of a woman from Chirayinkeezhu, who was previously engaged to Ashkar.