Kerala Toddler Murder Case: Police Uncover Months of Torture, Accused Confesses to Planned Killing

A horrifying case of child abuse and murder in Kerala has sent shockwaves across the state after investigators uncovered evidence suggesting that an 18-month-old boy was subjected to prolonged torture before being beaten to death.

The victim, Arshid, died in the Panavoor area of Nedumangad, around 20 kilometres from Thiruvananthapuram. Police have arrested the child’s 21-year-old mother, Akhila, and her live-in partner, Ashkar, in connection with the case.

Investigators now allege that the accused had been physically abusing the toddler for weeks and had planned to kill him months before his death.

Child Taken to Hospital After Fatal Assault

According to police, Arshid was taken to a private hospital in Panavoor on the evening of May 29 before being shifted to Sree Avittom Thirunal (SAT) Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.

Doctors declared the child dead on arrival.

Initially, Ashkar reportedly told hospital authorities that the toddler had choked while eating and subsequently lost consciousness.

However, relatives questioned the explanation and alerted the police, prompting a detailed investigation into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.

Post-Mortem Reveals Extensive Injuries

The post-mortem examination painted a disturbing picture of prolonged abuse.

Doctors reportedly found 51 injuries on the child’s body, including evidence of repeated physical assault. Investigators said the toddler had suffered severe wounds across multiple parts of his body.

The examination also reportedly revealed a serious injury to the child’s genital area and burn marks believed to have been caused by cigarettes.

Authorities concluded that the cause of death was internal bleeding resulting from sustained beatings.

Following the findings, police arrested both Akhila and Ashkar on the night of May 30. They were later produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.

Accused Allegedly Planned Murder Months Earlier

During evidence collection and scene reconstruction conducted on Monday, police say Ashkar confessed that he had decided to kill the child nearly three months ago.

According to investigators, the accused claimed he viewed Arshid as an obstacle to his relationship with Akhila.

Police allege that over the past month, the toddler was subjected to routine physical abuse inside the house.

Investigators said Ashkar admitted to using physical violence and attempting to silence the child’s cries by stuffing cloth into his mouth.

He allegedly told police that he disposed of several items used during the assaults by throwing them into a canal and destroying other evidence through burning.

During the investigation, officers reportedly recovered a stick allegedly used to assault the child as well as a lighter believed to have been used to inflict burn injuries.

Final Assault Took Place on May 29

According to the accused’s statement to investigators, the fatal incident occurred on May 29.

Police claim Ashkar told them he struck the child on the head after the toddler began crying loudly.

Investigators allege that after realising the child had died, the accused cleaned the house and attempted to destroy evidence before taking the boy to the hospital.

The police reconstruction exercise is expected to form a crucial part of the prosecution’s case.

Earlier Injury Raises More Questions

The investigation has also focused on an earlier incident involving the child.

Authorities revealed that approximately a month before his death, Arshid suffered fractures in both arms.

At the time, neighbours were reportedly told that the injuries occurred after the child fell from a bicycle.

A photograph shared by the child’s mother on social media showed the toddler with both arms in plaster casts.

On May 16, the child and his mother reportedly met a social media content creator at a bus stand and posed for photographs. During the interaction, the mother allegedly repeated the claim that the child had been injured in a bicycle accident.

Police later recovered discarded plaster casts from the compound of the house during evidence collection.

Investigators are now examining whether the fractures were also linked to abuse.

Mother Admits Witnessing Abuse, Police Say

According to police, Akhila admitted during questioning that she was aware of the assaults carried out by Ashkar.

Investigators claim she stated that she had witnessed the accused beating her son on multiple occasions using both his hands and sticks.

Police allege that despite being aware of the abuse, she did not intervene or seek help to protect the child.

The extent of her legal liability will be determined as the investigation progresses.

Probe Expands Into Accused’s Past

The case has widened beyond the toddler’s death, with police examining allegations of previous violence involving Ashkar.

The accused’s former wife, Amina, has reportedly been identified as another alleged victim of severe abuse.

Speaking to media, Amina’s mother claimed that her daughter had suffered repeated acts of violence during her marriage to Ashkar.

The allegations include physical assault, attempts to strangle her and other forms of abuse that allegedly left her unconscious for an extended period.

Police are also reviewing other incidents linked to the accused, including the deaths of individuals who had connections with him in the past.

Authorities have not announced any conclusions regarding those cases, but investigators are examining available evidence as part of the broader probe.

Investigation Continues

The death of Arshid has sparked widespread outrage and renewed discussions about child protection mechanisms, domestic abuse reporting and intervention systems.

Police continue to gather evidence and record witness statements as they build the case against the accused.

Investigators are expected to file additional charges based on forensic findings and evidence collected during the ongoing inquiry.

The case remains under active investigation.