KOCHI: In a new twist to the theatre sexual abuse case of a minor in Malapuram, police on Monday arrested the owner of the cinema hall, E.C. Satish, for the delay in informing the police about the crime and for handing over informing the child helpline first.

The accused, Moitheen Kutty – a businessman, had accompanied the minor and her mother to the cinema hall on April 18. CCTV footage showed the 60-year-old businessman sitting between the mother and the daughter. He was indulging in a consensual act with the mother while also molesting the child.

Satish immediately handed over the visuals to child welfare committee, who gave it to the police the same day.

When the police took no action on the complaint, Satish gave a copy of the visuals to a news channel which aired it on May 12, leading to Moitheen Kutty’s arrest.

He was booked under Section 354 (outraging the modesty of a woman) of IPC and the POSCO Act. Inspector-General of Police (Thrissur range) suspended Station House Officer of Changaramulam police station K.G. Baby for the delay in the probe.

However, media reports claimed that police summoned Satish several times ‘to settle scores with him’.

“Police misbehaved with him in the name of collecting evidence and summoned him to the station at least ten times,” the reports said. He was later released on bail.