NEW DELHI – Police in southern Indian state of Kerala have taken a man into custody for allegedly molesting a minor girl inside a cinema hall, according to media reports.
The incident took place at a theatre in Edapal in the Malappuram city on 18 April, police said.
Moideen Kutty, a businessman was taken into custody from Shornur and brought to a police station in Changaramkulam for questioning after visuals of the incident, captured on CCTV in the theatre, were aired by a television channel on Sunday.
The CCTV footage was handed over to police by child protection authorities on April 28.
Meanwhile, Health and Social Justice minister K K Shylaja said if police had failed to act despite receiving a complaint, it was a ‘grave lapse’ and action would be taken.
The state Human Rights Commission also demanded action against the police personnel concerned.
In another incident, police at Payannur registered a case under the POCSO Act against a man, who allegedly tried to molest a nine-year-old girl belonging to the nomadic community on 10 May.
The girl was sleeping along with her parents near a stadium at Payyanur in Kannur district when the man abducted her, police said.
However, the girl raised an alarm and her parents woke up, following which the man left her and fled the spot.
