51 injuries, cigarette burns: 1.5-yr-old Hindu child died after constant torture by mother and her live-in partner Ashkar in Kerala, shocking details
The family of Ashkar"s wife, Amina, came forward to reveal that Ashkar remains legally married to her, with no divorce ever formalised. He also repeatedly assaulted her, slamming her head against walls, and attempted to hang her from a ceiling fan.
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A short video of eighteen-month-old Arshid and his mother, Akhila, went viral on social media roughly two weeks ago. Shot by a YouTuber in mid-May, the clip showed the toddler with both arms in plaster casts. When questioned, Akhila attributed the injuries to a fall from a bicycle. The video drew mostly lighthearted reactions online, with many viewers playfully calling the child mischievous. Few who watched it could have suspected the grim reality that lay beneath.
According to the police, the toddler's body bore close to 50 injury marks of varying ages and degrees of severity. While some wounds were recent, others were considerably older. Police also noted burn marks on the child's body, believed to have been caused by cigarette stubs at the hands of the 'stepfather'.
The case first came to the attention of authorities on Friday, when Ashkar brought Arshid to a private hospital in Panavoor, claiming the child had choked on food during lunch. The boy was subsequently transferred to SAT Hospital, where he was declared dead. His mother, Akhila, 24, was reportedly away in Tamil Nadu for a dance programme at the time.
The sustained cruelty allegedly left Amina unconscious and bedridden for nearly a year. She is currently receiving treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital and has only recently begun to recover her memory.
The sheer brutality of the case has sparked intense outrage among residents. Tension boiled over when the Nedumangad police escorted Ashkar to his residence in Karikuzhy for evidence collection. A large crowd gathered at the scene and attempted to attack the accused, compelling the police to intervene, restrain the mob, and ensure the suspect's safety as the investigation continues.
On May 29, Arshid passed away. Investigators now reveal that the injuries seen in that viral clip were not the result of childhood accidents but evidence of severe, repeated abuse carried out by his stepfather, identified as Ashkar. The Nedumangad police arrested Ashkar on May 31, 2026, after a post-mortem examination revealed extensive internal trauma, including cranial bleeding and injuries across multiple parts of the body, findings that pointed unmistakably to sustained violence.
According to the police, the toddler's body bore close to 50 injury marks of varying ages and degrees of severity. While some wounds were recent, others were considerably older. Police also noted burn marks on the child's body, believed to have been caused by cigarette stubs at the hands of the 'stepfather'.
Akhila's husband passed away before their son Arshid was even born. Following her husband's death, she entered into a live-in relationship with Ashkar, a 31-year-old. As per several social media accounts, the accused man allegedly belongs to the specific community. What followed was a period of prolonged suffering for her infant son.
The case first came to the attention of authorities on Friday, when Ashkar brought Arshid to a private hospital in Panavoor, claiming the child had choked on food during lunch. The boy was subsequently transferred to SAT Hospital, where he was declared dead. His mother, Akhila, 24, was reportedly away in Tamil Nadu for a dance programme at the time.
Kerala
— ︎ ︎venom (@venom1s) June 1, 2026
2 weeks back, this woman Akhila lied that her child fell down and got injured.
In reality, her Muslim boyfriend Ashkar brutally beat the child. The child died a few days later.
51 injuries and cigarette burns were found on his body.
She and her boyfriend were arrested. pic.twitter.com/RLOJziMjm5
Though relatives had raised concerns about the circumstances of the child's death, a serious investigation was initiated only after medical findings indicated foul play. It has also emerged that Arshid's grandparents had previously approached the police with concerns about suspected assaults on the boy, but their complaints went unheeded.
The probe, now being led by the Nedumangad DySP, has gathered evidence suggesting the child was subjected to repeated physical abuse over a prolonged period. Police further stated that Akhila was aware of the beatings but neither stepped in to protect her son nor reported the matter to the authorities. She is expected to be named in the chargesheet as the investigation proceeds.
A video of Akhila and her 18 month old son Arshid went viral recently in which both hands of her son were plastered. When asked what had happened, Akhila replied that he had fallen from a bicycle. Everyone wished speedy recovery to the kid.
— Incognito (@Incognito_qfs) June 1, 2026
Akhila was in a live-in relationship… pic.twitter.com/RcDNOaViyt
As news of Ashkar's arrest spread on Sunday, May 31, deeply disturbing allegations about his past behaviour began to surface. The family of his first wife, Amina, came forward to reveal that Ashkar remains legally married to her, with no divorce ever formalised. Amina's mother told the media that her daughter had endured prolonged and horrifying abuse at Ashkar's hands, including repeated physical assaults, having her head slammed against walls, and an attempt to hang her from a ceiling fan.
The sustained cruelty allegedly left Amina unconscious and bedridden for nearly a year. She is currently receiving treatment at the Government Medical College Hospital and has only recently begun to recover her memory.
The sheer brutality of the case has sparked intense outrage among residents. Tension boiled over when the Nedumangad police escorted Ashkar to his residence in Karikuzhy for evidence collection. A large crowd gathered at the scene and attempted to attack the accused, compelling the police to intervene, restrain the mob, and ensure the suspect's safety as the investigation continues.