Cigarette Burns, Broken Arms: Kerala Toddler Killed By Mother’s Partner, Autopsy Reveals 51 Wounds

Cigarette Burns, Broken Arms: Kerala Toddler Killed By Mother’s Partner, Autopsy Reveals 51 Wounds

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Last Updated: June 02, 2026, 14:31 IST

Kerala Police arrest mother Akhila and partner Ashkar for murder of one and a half year old, post mortem finds 51 injuries.

The image of a toddler and visuals of Kerala Police arresting the accused's live-in partner, Ashkar.

A woman and her live-in partner have been arrested in connection with the death of her one-and-a-half-year-old child in Kerala’s Nedumangad area, after a post-mortem examination revealed around 51 injuries on the toddler’s body and indications of prolonged abuse, police said on Sunday.

The accused have been identified as Akhila and Ashkar. Police said they were arrested for allegedly subjecting the child, Arshid, to brutal physical abuse that led to his death on May 29.

An officer at Nedumangad police station said a case of unnatural death was initially registered on Saturday. The arrests followed after the autopsy report pointed to multiple injuries, both fresh and healed, suggesting repeated assault over a period of time.

According to police, the child’s body bore numerous injuries, with officials noting signs consistent with long-term abuse. The post-mortem findings led investigators to widen the probe and take both the mother and her partner into custody.

The incident came to light after Ashkar brought the child to a hospital, stating that the toddler had suddenly fallen ill after vomiting following food and water intake.

He claimed that the child became unconscious, after which he was taken to a nearby hospital and later shifted to SAT Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, where doctors declared him dead at around 6.08 pm on May 29.

However, doctors reportedly found multiple injuries on the child during examination, along with signs of earlier healed wounds. Police said this raised suspicions of sustained abuse.

Investigators said the probe began after the child’s grandparents raised concerns about recurring injuries on the toddler. The child’s maternal grandmother alleged that the boy had no injuries when he was taken away by his mother.

“He had no injuries when he was taken from my home by my daughter," the grandmother tearfully claimed.

Broken Arms, Cigarette Burn Marks

She also claimed that on an earlier occasion, both the child’s arms had been fractured, which was allegedly explained as a fall. Doubting this explanation, she had approached the police.

The grandmother further alleged that, at the insistence of her partner, Akhila had filed a complaint accusing her own mother of interfering in their relationship.

The child’s maternal and paternal grandfathers also alleged that there were circular burn marks on the toddler’s body, suggesting possible cigarette burns.

They further said that no part of the child’s body appeared to be free of injuries.

“There is no part of the child’s body that was not injured," the maternal grandfather added, while speaking to PTI.

Police said the child’s father had died before his birth.

Ashkar Tried To Hang Her First Wife From Fan

Fresh allegations have also surfaced against Ashkar from the family of his former wife. His ex-mother-in-law alleged that he had subjected his first wife, Amina, to prolonged physical abuse, including severe assault and attempts to hang her from a ceiling fan.

She claimed the abuse left Amina bedridden and unconscious for nearly a year, and that she is currently undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital.

The family also alleged that Ashkar remains legally married to Amina and that divorce proceedings have not been completed.

Tension prevailed in the area when police attempted to take the accused to their rented residence at Karikuzhy for evidence collection.

Locals allegedly attempted to attack Ashkar, prompting police intervention to disperse the crowd and secure the accused.

Further investigation is underway.

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About the Author Neethu Reghukumar Neethu Reghukumar, Principal Correspondent at CNN-News18, has 12 years of experience in both print and broadcast journalism. She covers politics, crime, health in Kerala, and has extensively reported ... Read More

Location : Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum], India, India

First Published: June 02, 2026, 13:49 IST

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