Congress Leader Remanded in POCSO Case Has Close Ties With Senior Party Leaders

Thiruvananthapuram: S Mahesh Kumar, a Thiruvananthapuram DCC member who has been remanded in a case involving the sexual abuse of a 12-year-old girl, has close ties with senior Congress leaders. He joined the Congress from the BJP and was given key positions by the party leadership within a short period.

He was first appointed a member of the Youth Congress state executive, a position he held from 2021 to 2023. Recently, he lodged a complaint with the Congress leadership after he was not appointed to the personal staff of Transport Minister C P John. He also criticised the minister on social media.

Mahesh, who served as the state coordinator of Jawahar Bal Manch, a Congress-led organisation working for children's welfare, was arrested by Peroorkada police. He is accused of sexually abusing a teenager from Pattom under the guise of his association with the organisation.

The girl had not disclosed the alleged abuse, which took place six months ago, because she was afraid. She eventually told her mother, who then informed the Child Welfare Committee.

A police team led by Peroorkada SHO Pradeep arrested Mahesh. He is also named in another case at Fort police station.