POCSO case against Kathakali teacher in Keralam

The police attached to Mangara station registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against a Kathakali teacher. The case was filed following a complaint that he sexually abused a student who had come to learn Kathakali. The alleged incident took place in 2019. The student was attending Kathakali classes at the centre when the alleged abuse occurred. She later developed mental health problems and underwent treatment. She disclosed the alleged abuse to a doctor during a counselling session at a private hospital at Kochi recently. The hospital authorities alerted the police, following which an investigation was conducted and a case registered. Police said the accused was absconding. A police team has begun an inquiry.