Idukki: A 10-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her stepfather and his friend. Based on the case filed by the minor's grandmother, Idukki Police arrested the girl's mother, stepfather and friend on Wednesday. The accused are identified as Mathew and Vishnu.

The girl's mother is a home nurse. After the minor's father left the family, the home nurse was struggling to make ends meet and she used to take her child along with her to the workplace too. 

The incident came to limelight when the minor's grandmother filed a complaint with the child welfare committee. The accused were presented before the court and later remanded to police custody. 

Atrocities against children have seen an increase in the state in the last four years, with at least 6,000 POCSO cases still pending trial.

Earlier on April 6, a seven -year-old boy, who had been battling for his life after suffering physical assault at the hands of his stepfather, died.

The incident occurred ten days ago while the boy was trying to protect his younger brother from being beaten up by Anand, his stepfather. The seven-year-old boy's lungs were damaged, and he was put on life support at Kolenchery medical college hospital. His younger brother sustained injuries on his chin and teeth. Kerala Police arrested Anand for allegedly assaulting two boys on March 29.