Kerala: 4-year-old girl suffered brutal sexual abuse before murder, postmortem reveals

Shocking details have emerged in the tragic case of a four-year-old girl, Kalyani, who was thrown into the Chalakudy river by her mother earlier this week in Moozhikkulam, Ernakulam district, Kerala.

According to local media reports, Kerala police have arrested a close male relative in connection with the case, following a disturbing post-mortem report that revealed the child had been subjected to brutal sexual abuse and torture up to a day before her death.

Police confirmed on Wednesday the arrest of a relative of the child's father, who has confessed to the crime during interrogation.

The man was taken into custody late Tuesday night and has been formally charged under sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Juvenile Justice Act. Officials stated that the sexual abuse occurred inside the child’s home.

The horrific incident first came to light on Monday night when Sandhya, Kalyani’s mother, returned home without her daughter. Initial vague responses about Kalyani's whereabouts escalated into a claim of the child going missing from a bus.

A police search operation, aided by CCTV footage showing Sandhya near the Chalakudy river, led to her confession of throwing her daughter into the water.

Kalyani’s body was recovered by local residents at approximately 3:30am on Tuesday. Sandhya was subsequently arrested and charged with murder.

The case took a grim turn on Wednesday with the revelation of the post-mortem report, which indicated signs of sexual assault on the child. This prompted investigators to detain three close male relatives for questioning, ultimately leading to the confession of the arrested individual.

Police believe the assault occurred just a day before Kalyani was killed, leading to speculation that Sandhya may have discovered the abuse.

The traumatic revelation and emotional distress are being considered as potential factors that led to the act of filicide, though the exact motive remains under thorough investigation.

Family tensions have also surfaced, with Sandhya’s husband, Subhash, informing police of her often independent actions and disregard for his advice, suggesting these domestic issues may have contributed to her mental state.

Authorities have pledged a comprehensive investigation to ensure all those responsible are held accountable.