In a horrific incident, a 10-year-old child was sexually abused inside a movie theatre in Kerala’s Malappuram district. A 60-year-old man, identified as Moideen, has been taken into custody based on CCTV footage of the incident.

But what has shocked the state even more is that despite Childline allegedly telling the police of the incident a whole month ago, no action was taken.

On Saturday, visuals of the incident, which reportedly took place on April 18, was released by Mathrubhumi News, and it was only after this that the police took the accused into custody.

According to Mathrubhumi News, Moideen, from Thrithala, abused the child for nearly two-and-a-half hours inside the theatre. But, more shockingly, sitting next to the child was a woman in her 40s, who was aware of what was happening, but failed to act in any manner to stop the abuse.

The incident first came to light when the owners of the theatre were going CCTV footage of the theatre. They reportedly informed Childline, who then informed the police. But the police sat on the case, not taking any action for nearly a month.

Since the police didn’t act, ChildLine reportedly gave the visuals to the media.

Changaramkulam Sub-Inspector KG Baby told TNM that the police didn’t know where exactly the incident occurred and hence, failed to act.

When pressed then that the footage available did make it clear where the incident took place, he said, “We are trying to find the accused.”

But when it was pointed out to him that the accused could be seen arriving in a Benz car, whose registration number was clearly visible, thus making it easier to find the accused, he said the accused was in custody.

“He was taken into custody, but the arrest was not recorded. The child should identify him to record the arrest,” he added.