Kerala HC initiates suo motu proceedings after toddler allegedly killed by father

KOCHI: On Tuesday, the Kerala High Court initiated suo motu proceedings after a toddler was assaulted and killed by her father. 

"The factum of such an event happening in our state shocks our conscience and certainly must be an eye-opener," the Court reportedly said. While initiating a suo motu case based on news reports about the incident, the court pointed out that when complaints were raised about incidents in the house of the child, it was not taken seriously by the police.  

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The fact that such an occurrence happened in Kerala, according to Justice Devan Ramachandran, was shocking and startling. The judge recalled that a few years back, a case of similar nature had happened in Thodupuzha. 

And so, under its parens patriae jurisdiction, the court, in its order stated that it can’t ignore the cries of the two-year-old child who must’ve have suffered immeasurably. 

"When children are involved and they are the victims of any such violence I am certain that this court is enjoined to act under the parens patriae jurisdiction notwithstanding whether the perpetrator is the father or any other near relative. This court cannot ignore the cries of the young child who must have suffered immeasurably when being attacked particularly if the news reporting is accurate….pains this court indescribably. I am therefore of the firm view that there should be some protocol so that the police are in a position to intervene when any such incident is brought to light. For this purpose, I propose a suo motu action and I propose that the respondents be the State Police Chief, the Superintendent of Police Malappuram and the concerned Station House Officer," 

it was noted in the court’s order.

The Registry was consequently directed to obtain formal orders from the Chief Justice and list the matter as a suo motu writ petition next week.