Child rights panel takes suo motu case into minor’s death at Kodungallur as parent alleges police brutality

The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has registered a suo motu case into the death of a minor, a native of Eriyad in Kodungallur, following media reports of alleged police harassment and wrongful implication in a case linked to an alleged online fraud. The commission has sought reports from the Thrissur District Police Chief and the District Child Protection Officer on the circumstances surrounding the death and the allegations raised by the family.The deceased’s father has accused the Kodungallur police of subjecting his sons to physical and mental harassment and falsely implicating them in a case, which he alleges drove the younger son to die by suicide. The boy died on October 6, 2026. The family has demanded a comprehensive investigation into the conduct of the police officers concerned.The case has taken a new turn with the family of the minor girl who had complained of alleged fraud releasing an audio recording purportedly featuring the boy discussing a plan to threaten the girl and her family and extort money from them. The recording, reportedly of a conversation between the boy and a friend, has brought the allegations made by the two families into focus.The boy’s body was found on the terrace of his house, according to the information provided by the family. According to the deceased’s father, the police took his son into custody in connection with a complaint involving an alleged fraud through Instagram and subjected him to physical and mental harassment.The complaint against the brothers reportedly involved allegations that they had befriended a minor girl through Instagram and subsequently threatened her and her family to extort money and gold ornaments. The boy’s father has alleged that the police also implicated his sons in a false case. He claimed that his elder son took responsibility for the alleged offence because he could not bear to see his younger brother being subjected to police harassment.The father has further alleged that the brothers were kept in custody for around three days before being produced before the appropriate legal authorities. While the elder son was produced before a court, the younger one was brought before the Juvenile Justice Board, he said. According to the family, the boy was deeply distressed by the fact that his brother had to remain in jail in connection with the case. After being released from the observation home, the boy reportedly visited his brother in jail before returning home. The family alleges that the emotional distress arising from the episode contributed to his decision to end his life.The deceased’s father has levelled allegations against officials of the Kodungallur police station, including Circle Inspector E.R. Baiju and Sub-Inspector Athul Mohan, and has sought a detailed inquiry into their role. The police have denied the allegations of torture and illegal detention. Published - October 14, 2026 07:58 pm IST