Nine more persons were apprehended on Saturday in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of a Dalit minor girl, bringing the total number of arrests to 14. The arrest of five persons was recorded on Friday in connection with the same case.
The police have so far registered five FIRs across two police stations, with more expected to follow. These cases are based on statements from the survivor, aged 18 now, who was allegedly subjected to abuse multiple times since the age of 13.
Those arrested on Saturday are Shamnad, 20; Afzal, 21; his brother Ashik, 20; Nidhin Prasad, 21; Abhinav, 18; Karthik, 18; Sudhish, 27; and Appu, 31. The ninth individual is a 17-year-old boy.
It is understood that the police are now gathering evidence on all individuals involved in the abuse, regardless of location. Details of the new FIRs and arrests are being handed over to the Child Welfare Committee. All those arrested so far are aged between 19 and 30.
Investigations have revealed that the girl was abused by 62 individuals, starting with her boyfriend. The accused also include friends of her father, and the abuse occurred at various locations, including public spaces such as Chuttippara, a hillock in Pathanamthitta town, and her school.
Parents unaware
According to the girl’s statement, she used her father’s mobile phone to communicate with the perpetrators. The police have identified about 40 individuals by verifying phone records and from the information in a note in her possession. Meanwhile, her parents were completely unaware of the abuse.
Since the incidents occurred when she was a minor, sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act will be invoked against the accused.
In-depth counselling
The Pathanamthitta Child Welfare Committee (CWC) has referred the victim to a psychologist for more in-depth counselling. The agency also believes that individuals outside Pathanamthitta district might be involved in the case.
The issue came to light during a counselling conducted by the CWC after the girl’s teachers noticed significant changes in her behaviour and informed the panel. The committee then notified the police, who initiated an investigation. The girl is currently housed in a shelter home.
Probe team formed
A special investigation team, headed by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Pathanamthitta, has been constituted to carry out the inquiry. Given the number of perpetrators involved, this episode may be the largest case of sexual abuse against a minor in the State’s history, officials said.
Published – January 11, 2025 07:15 pm IST