Udupi: Police arrest minor for Pamboor boy's death, sexual abuse suspected
Pics: Inchara Udupi
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (UM/SHS)
Udupi, Mar 14: The police on Friday March 14 arrested a juvenile in connection to the mysterious death of Naveen (5) of Dharshree Colony, Pamboor here, who went missing in February and whose skeletal remains were found about a fortnight later on a hillock after an extensive search.
The arrested juvenile, Vikas (named changed) allegedly used the victim for obtaining sexual pleasure before killing him.
Naveen, son of Nagaraj and Asha from Tamil Nadu was residing with his parents at Dharmashree Colony, Pamboor. On February 23, Naveen was seen playing in the courtyard of his home, just before he went missing. He had told the family that he was going to visit the house of his maternal uncle in the neighbourhood, but did not return home.
Vikas allegedly lured him with a chocolate and took him to a forest area located near to Dharmashree Colony.
In the forest he allegedly indulged in sexual acts with the child. When Naveen cried in pain and said that he would report this to his father, Vikas grew frightened and allegedly strangled him to death.
Sources said that Vikas then dumped the body among the bushes and returned to the colony at night. He even joined the locals in searching for Naveen and managed to throw them off the track.
A search operation to trace the missing child headed by superintendent of police Dr Boralingaiah and ASP Annamalai was launched. Four separate teams were formed to investigate the case, and about 40 persons in the village were questioned.
Naveen's skeletal remains, clothes and footwear were found on March 9 on a hillock at Pamboor.
The police who initially investigated the case suspecting that a family clash might have led to the murder, later looked into sexual abuse angle too. They learnt that about a year ago Vikas had reportedly used children for gay sex. They took him into custody and during interrogation, the matter came to light.
It is said that when Vikas was caught sexually abusing children a year ago, the villagers had chased him away to Tamil Nadu. He returned to the colony just about two months ago. Though he hails from Tamil Nadu, he was born in Kerala. He resides in a hut in Dharmashree Colony with his parents and four elder siblings.