'Nude photos for assessing physique': Sexual assault complaints mount against Kerala cricket coach

Thiruvananthapuram: Police in Thiruvananthapuram have arrested a cricket 'former' coach of the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) on charges of sexually assaulting female students during training sessions.

The accused, identified as Manu, allegedly abused his position to commit sexual assaults under the guise of cricket coaching.

Police reports allege that Manu took advantage of training trip to Tenkasi to exploit his students. It is claimed that he covertly photographed underage girls nude, falsely justifying it as necessary for assessing their physique for cricket selection.

The investigation began following an initial complaint filed after the KCA's pink tournament, where one survivor came forward. Later, five additional survivors have made similar allegations against Manu. Thiruvananthapuram Cantonment Police promptly registered cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

Sources reveal that Manu has served as a cricket coach in Thiruvananthapuram for over a decade. Previously accused of molestation, he was arrested but later acquitted when the complainant retracted her statement. Despite this, he continued to work within the association, raising concerns about child protection measures and oversight.

Following his recent arrest, authorities confiscated two of Manu's mobile phones, suspected to contain incriminating evidence related to the alleged offences.

"The District Cricket Association will offer full support to the girls who have filed complaints against Manu," stated Rajith Rajendran, Secretary of the District Cricket Association, to Mathrubhumi News.

"There was a previous case involving Manu, in which he was acquitted after the complainant changed her statement. During that case, all children were interviewed. On that occasion, all children testified in support of Manu," Rajendran added.

He clarified that the Tenkasi tournament was not sanctioned by the association. As girls' cricket tournaments are generally rare, the decision to attend Tenkasi was made jointly by the children, their parents, and their coach. Rajendran also noted that Manu resigned in mid-April, and the new complaint emerged only thereafter.