Thiruvananthapuram, 31 May (H.S.): The death of an 18-month-old boy in Kerala’s Panavoor has been linked to prolonged physical abuse, with a post-mortem examination revealing as many as 51 injuries on the child’s body, police said on Saturday.

The victim, Arshid, a resident of Karikuzhi near Nedumangad, succumbed after being rushed to hospital in a critical condition on Friday evening. According to investigators, doctors who conducted the autopsy concluded that the extensive physical assault was the cause of death.

Police said the child bore injuries across his body, including on his genital area, along with several older wounds that had already begun to heal, indicating repeated abuse over a period of time. Investigators suspect that injuries found on the soles of his feet and toes may have been caused by burning. The child had also reportedly suffered fractured arms a few days earlier. The accused, Ashkar, had allegedly told local residents that the injuries occurred when the boy fell while riding a bicycle.

Arshid was living with his mother Akhila and her friend Ashkar, a driver, in a rented house near Radio Park in Karikuzhi. Police allege that Ashkar had been regularly abusing the child. Both Akhila and Ashkar have been arrested in connection with the case.

According to Ashkar’s statement to police, the child began coughing and vomiting after having food and lying down to sleep around 4.30 p.m. on Friday. He was initially taken to a private hospital in Panavoor and later shifted to the SAT Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, where he was declared dead on arrival.

At the time of the incident, Akhila was reportedly in Tamil Nadu for a dance programme. Her husband had died by suicide two years ago when she was three months pregnant. She later began living with Ashkar, and the family moved to Karikuzhi around eight months ago.

The child’s grandfather, S. Sunil Kumar, has alleged foul play and demanded a thorough investigation. Nedumangad DySP K. Baijukumar said police are examining whether any additional persons were involved in the crime.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman