Man, daughter found dead in Kerala. Autopsy reveals 'girl was sexually assaulted for a year' before death

Police said the autopsy report revealed that the child had faced sexual abuse over the past one year.

Published on: Feb 15, 2026, 11:28:39 IST

Edited by Shivya Kanojia

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A case in Kerala's Kochi has taken an even darker turn after police revealed that a six-year-old girl, who was found dead with her father in January, had been sexually assaulted before her death. The disturbing details came to light on Saturday, nearly a month after the bodies were discovered at their rented house.

Following the autopsy report, police have included the POSCO Act in the case. (PTI)

Police said the autopsy report revealed that the child had faced sexual abuse over the past one year. Following the autopsy report, police have included the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in the case, which was earlier registered as an unnatural death, news agency PTI reported.

Also read| Gurugram: Case filed as parents allege assault by domestic helps

On January 16, the girl was allegedly poisoned before her father died by suicide at the rented house here.

The child’s mother told officials that she had no knowledge of any abuse. She also informed them that there had been arguments over money between her and her husband on the day of the incident.

Also read| Chandigarh: Sexual assault case against Haryana ex-minister Sandeep Singh transferred

The man had been working at a private firm but had lost his job some time ago. His wife was employed at a shopping mall in Kochi. Financial strain had reportedly caused tension between the couple, The Indian Express (IE) reported.

On the evening of January 15, while the woman was at work, her husband sent her a message saying, “I am going with my daughter”. When she returned home later, she found the house locked and assumed that he had stepped out with the child, IE report further mentioned.

As repeated phone calls went unanswered, she went to a relative’s house. The next morning, she came back with family members and broke open the door. They found the man hanging from the ceiling and the girl lying on the bed. Both were taken to the hospital but were declared dead on arrival.

An officer from the Elamakkara police station said statements from relatives and close acquaintances would be recorded soon. Police will also question teachers at the school where the child was studying.

The police have already begun a probe based on CCTV footage to check whether any persons had reached the house on the day the father and daughter were found dead, officials said.

(With PTI inputs)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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