A shocking case of child abuse has come to light in Palakkad district, where a five-year-old girl's private parts were allegedly burned with a hot steel spatula by her stepmother as punishment for bedwetting. The incident, which occurred near Kanjikode last week, was uncovered after the child's Anganwadi teacher noticed that the girl was experiencing severe difficulty sitting down during class and alerted the authorities.

Following the teacher's complaint, police launched an investigation and arrested the stepmother, a native of Bihar, on Thursday. She has been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. The accused was produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody for 14 days.

The child, who is reportedly in a stable condition, is receiving medical attention, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the full circumstances of the incident. Child welfare officials have been involved to ensure the girl's safety and well-being, including arrangements for counseling and protection.

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This disturbing case has once again highlighted the vulnerability of young children to abuse within the family and the critical role played by alert teachers and community members in identifying and reporting such incidents. Authorities have urged anyone with information to come forward, while child rights organizations have called for greater awareness and stricter monitoring of at-risk children in both rural and urban areas.

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