India

Woman Arrested for Joining Son and Friends in Assault of 17‑Year‑Old Boy Over Instagram Dispute in Kochi

By PTI

A 40‑year‑old woman was arrested on Sunday after police said she joined her son and seven other juveniles in assaulting a 17‑year‑old boy over a dispute linked to Instagram messages in Edappally, Kochi. The attack occurred on Saturday at the woman’s rented house on Changampuzha Road in Edappally North, leaving the boy injured. The boy and the woman’s son had studied together until Class 10 and are now in Plus Two at different schools. The boy and some friends had created a shared Instagram account for online gaming. After his phone was damaged a few months ago, he lost access to the account; when he regained it, he discovered that his friends had sent obscene messages to several women through the account. He questioned them about it. On Saturday, one of the friends called him to a location in Elamakkara to settle the dispute. He was later taken to the woman’s rented house, where the woman and the juveniles allegedly assaulted him and recorded the incident on video. The boy did not initially inform his parents, who noticed his injuries, questioned him and admitted him to a hospital. Based on his complaint, Elamakkara police registered a case on Sunday and arrested the woman. A report will be submitted to the Juvenile Justice Board against the seven juveniles, including her son. The case has been registered under Sections 3(5), 110, 127(2), 189(1)(c), 190, 296(b) and 351(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.