Man held under POCSO Act in Kozhikode

The Feroke police have arrested a 43-year-old man for allegedly raping a minor girl after taking her to a tourist home near Nallalam in Kozhikode district. The accused, identified as K.V. Haneefa, has been charged under various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Police sources said the man took the 16-year-old girl to the tourist home last month after offering her cash as a gift.

The suspect reportedly got acquainted with the girl by posing as a businessman. Police officers from Feroke station said he was working in the automobile sector and had no record of major crimes in the past. The POCSO Court in Kozhikode remanded him in judicial custody for 14 days on Tuesday (August 19, 2025), they added.