Malappuram: Kerala Police took former panchayat president of Vattankulam and CPM leader Raghavan into custody from Edapal in Malappuram for allegedly beating up a 10-year-old girl. A case was registered and a non-bailable warrant was issued. Police said that Raghavan, CPM former area secretary beat up the girl brutally.

Raghavan thrashed the girl for picking rags and scrap metal on his property. The girl is being treated for head injuries in hospital.

Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, who met the victim at the hospital, told reporters that the state government has not been doing anything for the safety of women and children.