A woman has been booked for allegedly torturing her seven-year-old step-daughter by inserting an iron rod into her private parts, police today said.
The accused, identified as one Sarina from Nilambur in Malappuram district, has been taken into custody and is being questioned, they added.
The injuries suffered by the victim are at least two-and-a -half years old and a detailed check up is needed to ascertain the extent of the wounds, police said, adding that the alleged torture came to light just two days ago when the child was taken by her maternal aunt to her house.
The child's parents are divorced and her father, who is in the Gulf, entrusted her to the care of Sarina, his first wife, as her own mother remarried and refused to look after her, police said.
The child was taken to a taluk hospital here and later to the Manjeri medical college hospital where doctors examined her and were of the opinion that at least two surgeries would be needed for her treatment.
A case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act), Juvenile Justice Act, IPC Section 326 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and attempt to murder has been registered against Sarina, police said.
