KOCHI: The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) on Friday decided to keep custody of the three children rescued from the alleged captivity of their parents, as the latter have so far not agreed to enrol the children in a school. CWC Ernakulam chairperson Padmaja Nair said the children’s father has not yet appeared before the CWC.
“The children will continue to stay at the care home along with their mother under our observation. For the time being, we have decided to send the children to a school attached to the care home. Though we briefed the parents about the need to admit them to a school, they have not agreed to it,” she said, adding that a psychological analysis of the entire family will be conducted soon.
Meanwhile, the police have launched a probe into the activities of the father, identified as Abdul Latheef. “Latheef is not cooperating and stubborn that he will not appear before the CWC,” said North Paravur SI K A Sabu.
It was on Wednesday that the CWC rescued the three boys allegedly held captive by their parents in Mannanam, North Paravur, for the past 10 years, denying them proper education. The family had been staying on the first floor of a double-storeyed building in Mannanam. The ground floor houses the office of an outfit called P M Mohammed Ali Foundation For Human Rights and Social Justice, which was set up by Latheef’s father late Mohammed Ali.
The incident came to light when panchayat officers along with health workers visited the house a few days ago as part of an immunisation drive. The couple refused to interact with them. Based on a complaint by locals, District Legal Services Authority officers visited the house to inquire about the kids’ illegal confinement in squalid conditions. Though the officers and a police team tried to contact the parents, they refused to interact with them.