Daijiworld Media Network- Kerala
Kerala, Jan 11: Kerala Police have arrested 14 individuals after an 18-year-old Dalit athlete alleged sexual abuse by 62 people over five years. The girl disclosed the abuse to volunteers who informed the Child Welfare Committee.
Pathanamthitta Superintendent of Police V G Vinod Kumar stated that the investigation is underway and more cases will be registered based on the girl's detailed statement, which is being recorded by women police in the presence of her mother.
The accused have been booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), and the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. Five cases have been registered in the past two days.
Advocate N Rajeev, head of the Pathanamthitta CWC, revealed that the girl had been facing sexual abuse since the age of 13, contrary to the police's initial claim of 16. He emphasized that the girl's family was unaware of the abuse, which allegedly occurred during her participation in various sports camps.
The police investigation revealed that one of the arrested, Subin (21), initiated the abuse by sending obscene photos and messages to the girl when she was 13. He later progressed to rape and even involved his friends in gang-raping her. The accused allegedly maintained contact with the girl through her father's mobile phone.
Significantly, some of the suspects have prior criminal records. Two suspects, S Sudhi (24) and Achu Anand (21), are already facing POCSO cases, with Sudhi currently in jail. Others have been implicated in culpable homicide and theft cases.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the victim's village, with many residents expressing disbelief and concern. The girl's father, who was unaware of the abuse, is reportedly devastated by the revelation.
The girl has been placed in a shelter under the CWC for her safety and well-being. The police have seized the mobile phones of the arrested individuals for further investigation.