Man arrested for sexually abusing minor

Kochi: A 76-year-old man was arrested on Sunday for allegedly sexually abusing a minor girl. The accused, Muhammad Sali, a resident of Palluruthy, was booked under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act based on the complaint of the girl’s mother.Police sources said that the accused molested the girl on multiple occasions two years ago. He recently approached the girl and spoke inappropriately to her, referring to the past abuse. That was when the survivor revealed the ordeal to her family, and the matter was reported to the police.Palluruthy police sources said that although no physical assault occurred in the recent incident, they are considering the case as a repeated attempt to solicit the minor. Provisions under Pocso Act for the initial acts of abuse as well as the subsequent harassment have been invoked against him.The accused was produced in court on Monday and remanded to judicial custody.