‘Only his nails were unhurt’: Kerala toddler’s death sparks outrage, over 50 injuries found

Mangalore Today News Network

Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 1, 2026: The death of a one-and-a-half-year-old boy in Panavoor near Nedumangad has triggered widespread outrage, with police arresting the child’s mother, Akhila (21), and her partner, Ashkar (31). Investigators are examining allegations of prolonged physical abuse based on medical findings, witness statements and information gathered during the probe.

Arshid was taken to a hospital by Ashkar on May 29 at around 4.30 p.m. According to reports, Ashkar told doctors that the child had started coughing and vomiting after a meal before becoming weak and unconscious.

The toddler was later shifted to SAT Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, where he was declared dead at 6.08 p.m. Initial claims suggested that the child may have choked on food, but a post-mortem examination reportedly revealed extensive injuries across his body.

Post-mortem reveals multiple injuries

Doctors reportedly found severe chest trauma, multiple healed scars, circular burn marks resembling cigarette burns and injuries covering several parts of the child’s body. Investigators also found suspected burn injuries and wounds on the soles of his feet.

Both of Arshid’s arms were reportedly in plaster when he was brought to the hospital.

Police suspect the child had been subjected to repeated physical abuse over a period of time. During questioning, Ashkar allegedly admitted to hitting the child’s head against a wall after he cried while eating. He is also reported to have confessed to causing burn injuries on the child’s feet using a lighter.

Earlier injuries had raised suspicions

The investigation has also brought renewed focus on an earlier incident in which Arshid suffered fractures in both arms. While Akhila and Ashkar allegedly claimed that the injuries resulted from a fall, family members reportedly suspected abuse.

According to available information, Arshid’s biological father, Akhil, died by suicide about two years ago while Akhila was pregnant. His family has alleged that they were not allowed to maintain contact with the child after his birth.

Disputes within the family

Akhila, who reportedly worked as a dancer, was often away for performances and is said to have left Arshid in the care of her mother, Reena, for extended periods.

Reena, a temporary employee at a community health centre, reportedly found it difficult to care for the child, leading to repeated disputes with Akhila. Following police intervention in one such dispute, Akhila was directed to take the child back into her custody.

Reena later told investigators that Arshid had no visible injuries when he was handed back to his mother. Concerns reportedly arose after both of the toddler’s arms were found fractured. She subsequently filed a police complaint.

Akhila later filed a counter-complaint before a Deputy Superintendent of Police, reportedly alleging that her mother was interfering in her personal affairs.

Custody efforts ended in tragedy

Arshid’s paternal grandparents had reportedly been seeking custody of the child for several months and had consulted a lawyer regarding the matter.

According to reports, mediation involving relatives and acquaintances resulted in an agreement under which the child would be handed over to them last week.

The family was reportedly preparing to welcome Arshid home when they instead received news of his death.

"We trusted her," the child’s paternal grandmother said, recalling how she later saw photographs showing the toddler’s arms in plaster.

The maternal grandfather alleged that there was no part of the child’s body that was not injured. The paternal grandmother further stated, "Only the child’s nails have no injuries."

Public anger and ongoing investigation

The incident sparked anger among local residents, some of whom attempted to confront Ashkar when police took him to the house for evidence collection on Sunday.

Police officials said a detailed investigation is underway to determine the full circumstances surrounding the child’s death and the allegations of abuse.

There are also allegations that Ashkar has a history of violent behaviour. Reports claim that his first wife, Amina, was subjected to severe assault and is currently in a coma, though police have not officially commented on those allegations.

Government response

Kerala Women and Child Development Minister Bindu Krishna said "A 1.5-year-old toddler died on 29th May and it was found that it was a heartbreaking incident. A mother and a stepfather brutally manhandled the child. Around 50 injuries were found on the child’s body... It is a crime against the state and the policy of the state government is zero tolerance against child abuse. The government will strengthen measures aimed at preventing abuse and violence against children within households ."

‘Only His Nails Were Unhurt’: Kerala Toddler’s Death Sparks Outrage, Over 50 Injuries Found

Thiruvananthapuram: The death of a one-and-a-half-year-old boy in Panavoor near Nedumangad has sent shockwaves across Kerala, with investigators uncovering evidence of what appears to be prolonged physical abuse. Police have arrested the child’s mother, Akhila (21), and her partner, Ashkar (31), in connection with the case.

The victim, Arshid, was rushed to a hospital by Ashkar on May 29 at around 4.30 p.m. Ashkar reportedly told doctors that the toddler had begun coughing and vomiting after a meal before becoming weak and unconscious. The child was later shifted to SAT Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, where he was declared dead at 6.08 p.m.

While initial claims suggested that Arshid may have choked on food, a post-mortem examination reportedly revealed extensive injuries across his body, raising serious concerns of sustained abuse.

Over 50 injuries found

According to investigators, doctors found severe chest trauma, multiple healed scars, circular burn marks resembling cigarette burns, and injuries on several parts of the child’s body. Suspected burn wounds were also found on the soles of his feet.

Both of Arshid’s arms were reportedly in plaster when he was brought to the hospital.

Police suspect the toddler had been subjected to repeated abuse over a prolonged period. During questioning, Ashkar allegedly admitted to banging the child’s head against a wall after he cried while eating. He is also reported to have confessed to causing burn injuries to the child’s feet using a lighter.

Earlier injuries had raised concerns

The probe has also revived questions surrounding an earlier incident in which Arshid suffered fractures in both arms. While Akhila and Ashkar reportedly claimed the injuries resulted from a fall, family members suspected abuse and raised concerns.

Arshid’s biological father, Akhil, died by suicide around two years ago while Akhila was pregnant. His family has alleged that they were prevented from maintaining contact with the child after his birth.

Family disputes and custody battle

Akhila, who reportedly worked as a dancer, was often away for performances and is said to have left Arshid in the care of her mother, Reena, for extended periods.

Reena, a temporary employee at a community health centre, reportedly found it difficult to care for the child, leading to frequent disputes with her daughter. Following police intervention in one such dispute, Akhila was directed to take the child back into her custody.

Reena later told investigators that Arshid had no visible injuries when he was returned to his mother. Alarm bells rang after both of the toddler’s arms were found fractured, prompting her to file a police complaint.

Akhila subsequently filed a counter-complaint before a Deputy Superintendent of Police, alleging that her mother was interfering in her personal affairs.

Meanwhile, Arshid’s paternal grandparents had been pursuing custody of the child for several months and had consulted a lawyer regarding the matter. According to reports, mediation involving relatives and acquaintances had recently resulted in an agreement to hand over the child to them.

The family was reportedly preparing to welcome Arshid home when they instead received news of his death.

“We trusted her,” the child’s paternal grandmother said, recalling how she later saw photographs showing the toddler’s arms in plaster.

The maternal grandfather alleged that there was no part of the child’s body that had escaped injury. The paternal grandmother remarked, “Only the child’s nails had no injuries.”

Public outrage and investigation

The case has sparked widespread anger among local residents. Some reportedly attempted to confront Ashkar when police took him to the house for evidence collection on Sunday.

Police said a detailed investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the toddler’s death and the allegations of abuse.

There are also allegations that Ashkar has a history of violent behaviour. Reports claim that his first wife, Amina, was subjected to severe assault and is currently in a coma, although police have not officially commented on those allegations.

Government response

Kerala Women and Child Development Minister Bindu Krishna described the incident as heartbreaking and said preliminary findings pointed to severe abuse.

“A one-and-a-half-year-old child died on May 29. Around 50 injuries were found on the child’s body. It is a crime against the state, and the government’s policy is one of zero tolerance towards child abuse,” she said.

The minister added that the government would strengthen measures to prevent violence and abuse against children within households.