The Kerala High Court on Wednesday (September 2) was informed by the Kerala Police probing the Nedumangad Child Death case that investigation is over and final report has been filed before the jurisdictional court under SC/ST Atrocities (Prevention) Act.

The case refers to the death of a 1 ½ year-old toddler in Negumangad, Thiruvananthapuram on May 29, 2026 allegedly due to the torture inflicted on him by his mother's partner, Ashkar.

The Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. today perused the report while considering a suo motu public interest litigation that was registered on the basis of a letter written by Justice Devan Ramachandran pointing out systemic failures.

"It is discernible from the said report that the entire investigation...has been completed and a final report has been laid before the Special Court on 19.08.2026...The matter is adjourned after 4 weeks so as to report on the further progress...," the Court observed.

The Court was also informed that the two accused in the case, the child's mother and her partner, are in custody.

In his letter, Justice Ramachandran had requested for creating an effective mechanism with the cooperation of machineries including the police, hospitals, child protection officers, welfare officers as well as the Legal Services Authorities constituted in the State.

The case had brought to light several lacunae in the system, including an inaction on the part of the District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) even after being informed by the child's grandmother about the possibility of abuse. The said DCPO has since been terminated.

The case is posted to October 5 for further consideration.

Case No: WP(PIL) No. 123 of 2026

Case Title: Suo Motu v. State of Kerala and Ors.