Detecting Lost POCSO CASE Survivor, Children from Kozhikode’s Shelter

Kozhikode town police have investigated the disappearance of a 17-year-old survivor to protect children from sexual crimes (POCSO) case (POCSO) case and investigated on Sunday (April 20, 2025) among three-year-olds in women and children shelter in Kozhikode. The girl and her children were recently taken to Shakti Sadan, a comprehensive home of relief and rehabilitation.

Sources at Kozhikode town police station strongly suspect that the girl left the nursing home alone with the child, and she reportedly did it earlier in Sakhi, one-stop center in Vellimadukunnu.

The girl approached the Child Welfare Commission (CWC) in Kozhikode for help to obtain custody of the child from the child’s father, who was reportedly taken away by force. She also claimed that her father was prone to drug abuse and was abused by both her and her children.

She was initially taken by Sakhi who walked out from there one early morning. Police later picked her up from Kottayam and brought her back to Kozhikode. After spending the night in Sakhi, she was transferred to Shakti Sadan the next morning, from where she disappeared again.

Meanwhile, CWC chairman Abdul Nazar claimed that the authorities of Sakhi and Shakti Sadan expressed indifference in ensuring the safety and welfare of residents. He said the girl submitted a written statement claiming she left Saki because authorities were reluctant to provide food for her children while crying late at night.

Mr Nazar noted that Saki’s centre administrator refused to take charge of the girls and children when he was brought back from Kotayam, citing a lack of funds.

But, Kozhikode’s female protection officer Linzi AK said the girl kept walking out because she didn’t want to stay there. She added: “Our duty is to provide protection and services to those seeking it. Saki is not a prison. Residents have free will.”