Kochi, India – A troubling investigation into the deaths of a 33-year-old man and his six-year-old daughter in Elamakkara, Kochi, has taken a grim turn. Autopsy reports have confirmed that the child was subjected to sexual abuse prior to her death. The father and daughter were discovered deceased in their rented home on January 16, 2026. The ongoing police inquiry has since led to the formal registration of a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Circumstances of Discovery
On the morning of January 16, 2026, relatives, concerned after repeated unanswered calls to Pavishankar, 33, visited his rented residence in Elamakkara. They found the house unlocked and discovered both Pavishankar and his daughter, Vasuki, deceased. Pavishankar was found hanging, while Vasuki was found motionless on a bed. Initial police assessment suggested a murder-suicide scenario, with suspicion that Pavishankar poisoned his daughter before taking his own life.
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The post-mortem examinations provided critical evidence regarding the child's cause of death and confirmed sexual abuse.
Forensic Findings and Legal Proceedings
The autopsy reports have become central to the investigation. Medical findings confirmed serious injuries to the child’s private parts, indicating she had been sexually abused. These findings prompted the police to register a case under the POCSO Act. Authorities have refrained from disclosing further details, citing the active nature of the investigation and the absence of a named suspect at this stage. The possibility of prolonged abuse has also been indicated by medical reports.
The registration of a POCSO case signifies a serious development, moving beyond the initial murder-suicide hypothesis to encompass sexual offenses against a minor.
Timeline of Events and Initial Inquiries
The incident is believed to have occurred between late Thursday night and Friday morning of January 15-16, 2026. Pavishankar, a native of Alappuzha, was living with his family in the rented accommodation. His wife was reportedly away at the time of the incident. Relatives’ efforts to contact Pavishankar and the subsequent discovery of the bodies initiated the police investigation.
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January 16, 2026: Pavishankar and his six-year-old daughter, Vasuki, found dead in their rented home.
Post-January 16, 2026: Autopsy reports confirm the daughter was sexually abused and poisoned.
February 14, 2026 (approx.): Police formally register a case under the POCSO Act based on autopsy findings.
Broader Context of Abuse and Fatal Incidents
This case adds to a series of disturbing incidents reported in Kerala involving child sexual abuse and fatal outcomes. While previous reports have detailed cases of young children being subjected to brutal abuse (as seen in cases involving a 4-year-old and a 3-year-old in separate incidents), the Kochi case is distinguished by the simultaneous death of the father and the confirmed sexual abuse of the child. Investigations into other incidents, such as a teenager allegedly poisoned by her father in 2023 and broader cases of familial poisoning involving multiple victims, highlight the complexities and varied motives that can underpin such tragedies.
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Other Cases of Concern: Reports detail a 4-year-old suffering brutal sexual abuse before murder, a 3-year-old's death confirmed as sexual abuse with an uncle confessing, and a 7-year-old rape and murder case in Kolkata resulting in a death sentence.
Expert and Official Commentary
Senior police officials have confirmed the registration of the POCSO case but are maintaining discretion due to the ongoing investigation. Their statements emphasize the detailed nature of the medical evidence.
“Further investigation is underway,” a senior police officer stated regarding the ongoing inquiry.
Police officials have confirmed the POCSO case but have refrained from disclosing further details or naming a suspect, stating that the investigation remains ongoing.
The police focus remains on meticulously gathering evidence, particularly from forensic reports, to establish the complete sequence of events and any potential perpetrators beyond the deceased father.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The confirmation of sexual abuse against the six-year-old girl fundamentally alters the investigation into the Kochi deaths. While the father's death and the initial murder-suicide suspicion remain, the focus has expanded to include the investigation of sexual offenses. Police are expected to continue their detailed forensic analysis and interview individuals who may have had knowledge of the family's circumstances. The progression of the case under the POCSO Act indicates a commitment to thoroughly addressing all aspects of the crime.
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Immediate Actions: Continued forensic examination of evidence from the residence.
Further Investigation: Interviews with relatives, neighbors, and any other individuals connected to the family.
Legal Progression: Advancement of the POCSO case based on collected evidence.
Sources Used
Indian Express: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kochi-father-daughter-death-autopsy-sexual-abuse-poison-10532238/
Onmanorama: https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2026/02/14/kochi-father-daughter-death-sexual-assault-live.html
The South First: https://thesouthfirst.com/kerala/kochi-father-daughter-deaths-police-register-case-under-pocso-act/
The Times of India: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/six-year-old-girl-father-found-dead-in-house-in-kochi/articleshow/126589767.cms
The Print: https://theprint.in/india/father-kills-daughter-dies-by-suicide-in-kochi/2829309/
Onmanorama (Murder-Suicide): https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2026/01/16/murder-suicide-in-kochi-man-ends-life-after-killing-minor-daughter.html
The Hindu (Man, six-year-old daughter found dead): https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/youth-six-year-old-daughter-found-dead-at-home-in-kochi/article70515083.ece
The Hindu (Teenager poisoned): https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/teenager-allegedly-poisoned-by-father-dies-in-kochi/article67509080.ece
