A deeply disturbing incident of alleged sexual assault has shaken the Kalpakanchery area in Malappuram, Kerala, involving a four-year-old LKG student. The crime reportedly took place inside the child's school bus, with the bus cleaner identified as the accused.
Chilling Details of the Assault
The incident occurred while the young girl was returning home from school. According to police reports, the accused, Mohammed Ashik, aged 24, allegedly assaulted the minor inside the bus. The child was traveling alone with the cleaner at the time, a detail that has raised serious questions about safety protocols.
The Kalpakanchery police station has taken swift action, arresting Ashik. He has been formally remanded into custody. Authorities have invoked sections of the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against him, highlighting the gravity of the crime.
How the Crime Came to Light
The harrowing ordeal came to the attention of authorities and the child's family only after she reached home. Showing immense courage, the four-year-old girl narrated the traumatic experience to her parents. Distraught but alert, the parents immediately approached the police, leading to the swift registration of a case and the subsequent arrest.
This case underscores the critical importance of open communication between children and parents, especially about their safety and bodily autonomy.
Community Outrage and Legal Proceedings
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and concern among parents and residents in Malappuram. It has brought the issue of child safety in school transport under intense scrutiny. Questions are being raised about the lack of supervision and the vetting processes for support staff employed by schools and their transport contractors.
The police investigation is ongoing. The focus is on gathering concrete evidence and building a watertight case to ensure justice is served under the POCSO Act. The child is receiving necessary support and counseling.
This tragic event serves as a grim reminder for educational institutions and transport providers to enforce the highest safety standards, including mandatory background checks for all staff, the presence of a female attendant on buses, and the installation of CCTV cameras.
