Daijiworld Media Network- Kochi

Kochi, May 22: A close male relative has been arrested in connection with the death of a three-year-old girl who was thrown into the Chalakudy river by her mother. The arrest comes after a post-mortem examination confirmed the child was sexually assaulted shortly before her death.

The case unfolded on Monday night when Sandhya, the child's mother, returned home without her daughter, Kalyani. Initially providing evasive answers to her own mother, Ally, about Kalyani's whereabouts, Sandhya later claimed the child went missing from a bus.

Police initiated a search, and CCTV footage showing Sandhya near the Chalakudy river led to her confession of throwing her daughter into the water. The child's body was recovered early Tuesday morning by local residents. Sandhya was subsequently arrested and charged with murder.

However, the investigation deepened when the post-mortem report, received on Wednesday, revealed evidence of sexual assault. This led investigators to detain three close male relatives for questioning. Following extensive interrogation, one of the relatives confessed to the sexual assault.