The Crime Branch wing of the State police arrested sub-inspector K.G. Baby on Tuesday in connection with a sexual abuse case that took place inside a cinema hall at Edappal on April 18.
Mr. Baby, who was station house officer at the Changramkulam police station, was arrested for his ‘failure’ in taking prompt action following a complaint about the sexual abuse of a minor girl. He was earlier suspended from service as the incident got media attention.
Crime Branch DySP arrested Mr. Baby and later released him on bail.
Mr. Baby is facing charges under Section 19 and 21 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Section 166(a) of the Indian Penal Code.
Satheesh, 55, the owner of Govinda Theatre, where the minor girl was abused by 60-year-old Moideenkutty in the presence of her mother during the screening of a movie, was arrested on Monday for not reporting the incident to the police.
Mr. Satheesh had handed over the video footage of the abuse caught on the night-vision surveillance camera inside the cinema hall to Childline officials.
The Childline complained to the police at first and when the police failed to act, got the video clip telecast on a Malayalam news channel.
The Childline action of giving the news clip to the news channel invited criticism from different quarters.
Battle of words
A battle of words ensued between the Childline and the police over the propriety of giving the visuals to the media when the issue gained attention.