POCSO-accused vlogger invited as school chief guest; Kerala Education Minister orders probe

Thiruvananthapuram: Education Minister V. Sivankutty has sought an explanation following the participation of vlogger M. Mukesh Nair, an accused in a POCSO case, as a chief guest at a school Praveshanotsavam. The Thiruvananthapuram Deputy Director of Education has been directed to conduct an immediate inquiry and submit a detailed report.

Mukesh M. Nair, who is currently under police investigation, was invited by the authorities of Fort High School in Thiruvananthapuram to attend the Praveshanotsavam as the chief guest. His presence at the school event, where he addressed students and distributed gifts, has sparked widespread controversy.

The invitation of an individual facing serious allegations under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act raised alarm within the Public Education Department. Minister Sivankutty, taking cognisance of the issue, ordered an investigation into the circumstances that led to the invitation.

Ironically, the incident took place on the same day the government had announced stringent action against teachers accused in POCSO cases.

Mukesh M. Nair is an accused in a case involving the alleged sexual assault of a minor girl during a reels shoot at a resort in Kovalam. The case was registered in April after the girl's parents lodged a complaint, stating that Nair had inappropriately touched the child and forced her to pose semi-nude for video content. The investigation, registered at the Kovalam police station, is still ongoing.