Kochi: In a dispute arising from messages sent via an Instagram account, four minors involved in the case where a 17-year-old was summoned to a house and brutally beaten have been produced before the Juvenile Justice Board. Three of them have been conditionally released along with their parents, while the son of the arrested housewife involved in the case was released along with his sister under similar conditions. The Juvenile Justice Board directed the parents to ensure the necessary counselling, taking into account the children’s mental health and their future conduct.
The housewife who was arrested in connection with the incident has been remanded by the court earlier. The Elamakkara police have informed that detailed statements will be recorded from the minors involved as well as from the 17-year-old victim. These statements are to ascertain the true circumstances of the incident and clarify the role each individual played in the attack. The police further stated that if necessary, the housewife currently in remand will be taken into custody for extended questioning as part of the investigation.
Serious charges including attempted murder, unlawful assembly, criminal intimidation, and wrongful confinement have been framed against the housewife. The 17-year-old who suffered grievous injuries in the attack is still undergoing treatment.
The police are currently investigating the circumstances that led to the assault and whether others had any involvement. The 17-year-old was summoned home under the assurance that the dispute concerning the Instagram messages could be resolved through discussion, but on arrival was subjected to a brutal beating. It is understood that those involved in the incident as well as the victim had previously lived in the same locality—a familiarity that is believed to have influenced the summoning.
An Instagram account had earlier been created in the 17-year-old’s name for playing online games and other needs. This account was set up so that all members of the group could access and use it. After the phone originally used for gaming and other online purposes broke down, a new phone was purchased, and the old Instagram account was reactivated on this device. Upon checking the account on the new phone, it was discovered that obscene messages had been sent from it.
Differences of opinion and disputes arose among the group members over who sent these messages. Since the account was accessible by multiple individuals, suspicion about the actual sender intensified the conflict. It was following this that the 17-year-old was called home with the intention of resolving the issue. However, instead of an amicable resolution, the situation escalated into a violent assault.
Considering the severity of the beating, the police have registered charges including attempted murder. Since minors are involved, all procedures are being conducted in accordance with Juvenile Justice laws. The board’s directive to provide counseling to the children involved is also being followed.
The police expect that after collecting the complainant’s statements and other evidence, further clarity on the incident will emerge. The investigation, led by the Elamakkara police, is ongoing to uncover the full details of the attack in which the 17-year-old was seriously injured.
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Original Malayalam report: Malayalam Daily News
