Two police officers suspended over alleged lapses in Payyoli POCSO case probe in Keralam

Two police officers have been placed under suspension pending an inquiry following allegations of severe procedural lapses in handling a POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) case at Payyoli near Vadakara in Kozhikode district. The suspended personnel are Circle Inspector P. Babumon and Senior Civil Police Officer Abdul Hameed.

The case was registered by the Payyoli police about 10 months ago. According to the charges, the prime accused, Abdul Rafeeq, a friend of the victim’s mother, allegedly subjected a 13-year-old girl to sexual abuse over a two-year period by threatening and beating her.

The abuse came to light 10 months ago during counselling sessions held at the victim’s school. In January, the Payyoli police registered an FIR naming Rafeeq and the victim’s mother as co-accused. While the police arrested the mother, Rafeeq fled abroad before he could be apprehended. Subsequently, a lookout notice was issued against him.

Allegations of police inaction and laxity quickly mounted, with local residents and political figures, including Parakkal Abdulla, MLA, approaching the Home Minister to demand action. Recently, upon learning that the investigation team was preparing to submit a chargesheet, the accused returned to Keralam late last month and secured anticipatory bail.

This development triggered widespread anger and protests among local residents and the victim’s family, who staged demonstrations in front of the accused’s residence and the Payyoli police station. The disciplinary action against the officers followed the public backlash over the failure to arrest the accused before he secured bail.