T'PURAM: Extensive investigation has begun into the incident in which three women caretakers of the Kerala State Child Welfare Committee (CWC) in the state capital allegedly injured a two-and-a-half-year-old girl on her private parts for wetting the bed.
The Kerala State Council for Child Welfare (KSCCW), under which the CWC functions, terminated the services of seven caretakers on contract, including the arrested trio — A K Ajitha, 49, of Andoorkonam, Maheshwari, 49, of Ayiroorpara, and Sindhu, 47, of Navaikulam. The three have been remanded in judicial custody for 14 days on charges under Juvenile Justice Act and Pocso Act. The child was subjected to a medical examination at Thycaud Women and Children Hospital, where it was found that the injuries were caused by pinching.
Police will soon move a custody application for the three for evidence collection and detailed interrogation.
"Each person's nail impression is unique and it will be a crucial evidence in the case. The child was pinched on the genitals and buttocks, and the accused appeared before police for interrogation after cutting their nails to mislead police. But it will grow again in a few days, and the impression can be matched with the one in the two injuries," said a police officer.
"Statements of other staffers and CCTV footage are the major evidence to be collected as part of the probe. The child was under the care of the accused last week, and the injuries were noted by another caretaker following a change in duty shift. It was soon alerted to the chairperson, and the child was subjected to a medical examination. A complaint was filed, and two of the accused informed police that the crime was committed by Ajitha, but they did not disclose it due to fear. Hiding a crime is equally important as committing a crime, and they were also arraigned in the case," said police.
Mahila Congress staged a protest march to the CWC headquarters on Wednesday, demanding the suspension of the administrative panel and punishment for the concerned officials responsible for it.