Kannur: Protests from the public has intensified as a BJP local leader, who is accused in a POCSO case, in Panoor here is not arrested yet. Many people started commenting on the Facebook page of the Chief Minister in protest over the issue. Most of the comments demand that the attempt to sabotage the case should be prevented and the culprit must be arrested immediately.

It is alleged that Kadavathur Kuniyil native Padmarajan, a school teacher and BJP Thriprangottoor panchayat committee president, sexually abused a girl studying in Class 4. Hundreds of comments appeared on the Chief Minister's posts regarding COVID-19 following the incident.

People alleged in the comments that the police are trying to sabotage the case and that the Chief Minister, who handles the Home Department should intervene in the issue. Some of them also reminded that the incident took place in the Chief Minister's home district and in the constituency of Health Minister K. K. Shailaja.

The incident took place in March and the family of the girl first lodged a complaint with the Thalassery DYSP. Later, the Panoor police registered a case and started investigation. Soon after this, the accused went absconding and the CI was transferred. The newly appointed CI continued the investigation, but could not trace the accused.

Though the police responded that they are continuing investigation to nab Padmarajan, people alleged that the officials are delaying the arrest intentionally. Many political parties conducted public protests against the police inaction. CPM is also on the defensive due to the delay in the arrest.