A former cricket coach associated with the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) is now being investigated by The Kerala High Court for sexual abuse. Serious allegations have been made against Manu M, who served as a coach at the KCA training center in Thiruvananthapuram.
Justice A Badharudeen on August 7 was notified of the allegations along with the Police report filed under the various IPCs , POSCO Act and the information and technology act along with the details of the coach's alleged misconduct. The accused has been since in police custody and his mobile phone being examined for further evidence.
The petitioners, parents of the children who underwent cricket training at KCA's Cricket Coaching Centre in Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram, expressed their dissatisfaction with the ongoing investigation. "Even though the investigation report filed and the copy of the same has been filed upon the petitioners, the learned counsel for the petitioners would submit that the investigation is not proper and relevant documents not seized. Hence, learned counsel for the petitioners wants to argue the matter in detail," the order noted.
The further hearing for the case has been scheduled on September 3 regarding the traumatic experience relayed upon the victim that was expressed during counselling sessions while exhibiting unusual behavior and loss of interest in cricketing. The FIR was first filed on June 9, by the mother of a victim girl but as the case gained attention through media more parents have come forward highlighting the traumatic experience faced by their children,
The petitioners have raised several serious concerns in their plea. They allege that the coach not only accompanied the players for tournaments but also arranged their travel and accommodation, using these opportunities to subject the victims to sexual abuse and harassment during outstation tournaments. The plea also points to Manu's history of sexual crimes, suggesting that he may be part of a larger criminal network involved in distributing sexually explicit content online.
The petitioners contend that the current investigation has been ineffective and have urged the Court to call for a more detailed inquiry. They have requested that the matter be placed in the hands of the State Cyber Crime or Cyberdome Investigation to determine whether any pornographic material was created and misused. They have also sought the Court’s intervention to ensure that the investigation is pursued effectively.
The petitioners have seeked thorough investigation into the matter and also demanded a specialised public prosecutor to handle the case, A request has been made to hand over the case to the crime branch for an even more effective inquiry. The hearing scheduled on September 3 will deal the fate of this deeply troubling case.
TAGS: Kerala High Court sexual abuse allegations former cricket coach Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) Manu M Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) Indian Penal Code (IPC) Information Technology Act police investigation
