Synopsis
A 23-year-old woman in Kannur, Kerala has been arrested under the POCSO Act for allegedly sexually exploiting a 12-year-old schoolgirl, revealing a troubling pattern of behavior and threats towards minors.Key Takeaways
- 23-year-old woman arrested for exploitation.
- Victim is a 12-year-old schoolgirl.
- Inappropriate behavior led to investigation.
- Merlin had previous incidents involving a 14-year-old.
- POCSO Act aims to protect children from sexual abuse.
Kannur (Kerala), Mar 14 (NationPress) A 23-year-old woman was detained in Taliparambu, located in Kerala's Kannur district on Friday under the POCSO Act for allegedly sexually exploiting a 12-year-old schoolgirl.
The accused, known as Sneha Merlin, had recently made headlines for assaulting a CPI leader with her helmet, a case that is still ongoing.
The new allegations came to light after authorities began investigating the 12-year-old girl, who exhibited concerning behavior. Upon inspection of her school bag by her class teacher, a mobile phone was discovered containing inappropriate images, alarming given the girl's age.
Authorities reached out to the girl's parents and notified the Child Line. Following several counseling sessions, it was revealed that Merlin had been sexually exploiting the girl.
Further investigations indicated that Merlin had been abusing the young girl for an extended period, with the current arrest linked to her inappropriate advances towards the girl in February.
It was also uncovered that Merlin had given gifts to the 12-year-old.
The police are now investigating whether there are other innocent victims of Merlin.
Additionally, reports have emerged suggesting that Merlin previously exploited a 14-year-old schoolboy, threatening him that his photographs would be made public if he reported the incident.
The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, 2012 is a significant Indian legislation aimed at safeguarding children from sexual abuse, ensuring their well-being, and providing justice through expedited trials.
