13 held in minor's rape in Kerala; Victim claims sexually abused by 62 people over several years

"The LDF Govt and its Child Welfare Council have done well in giving the survivor confidence and help. Severe punishment to the guilty," she posted on her X account.

Seven more people were arrested on Saturday for allegedly raping a Dalit girl, who is an athlete, at various locations when she was a minor, taking the total number of those apprehended so far to 13, police said. The case has sparked outrage.

The girl, now 18 years old, has alleged in her complaint that she was sexually abused by 62 individuals since the age of 13. The police said they received evidence indicating that the girl was exploited by her sports trainers, fellow athletes, and classmates. Calling for the immediate arrest of all the accused, the National Commission for Women (NCW) has sought a detailed action-taken report from authorities within three days and emphasized the need for a fair and time-bound investigation to deliver justice. The Kerala Women’s Commission (KWC) has also registered a case on its own, and its chairperson, P. Sathi Devi, has directed the Pathanamthitta Superintendent of Police to immediately submit a report, the Commission said in a release.

The matter came to light during counseling conducted by the Child Welfare Committee, after the victim’s teachers at an educational institution informed the panel about noticeable changes in her behavior. The Committee subsequently notified the police, and a special investigation team headed by the Pathanamthitta Deputy Superintendent of Police was formed to carry out the inquiry.

Six people were arrested on Friday after the registration of five FIRs at two police stations in the Pathanamthitta district. So far, 13 people, including a minor, have been apprehended in connection with the case. All those arrested are aged between 19 and 30, and many of them have criminal antecedents, the police said. The Kerala police have invoked more stringent charges, including under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, along with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) against the accused.

"The complaint stated that the girl, an athlete, was sexually assaulted by 64 people. She was subjected to rape since the age of 13. It was found that she was abused at school and sports training camps," the KWC release added.

"Preliminary investigation suggested that the girl, who takes part in school-level athletic training, was abused by sports trainers, fellow athletes, and others," said a police officer. The investigation is now focused on collecting evidence on all accused involved in the abuse, sources said.

Details of the new FIRs and arrests will be handed over to the Pathanamthitta Child Welfare Committee by the police. According to her statement, the girl was abused by 62 individuals, starting with her neighbor, at the age of 13. Some of the accused in custody are friends of this person, and the police are looking to ascertain whether the girl was gang-raped by the suspects.

A detailed statement of the girl will be recorded by a woman sub-inspector at the Pathanamthitta police station, the police said. The alleged incidents occurred at various locations, including public spaces like Achankottumala, Chuttippara in Pathanamthitta town, and her school.

According to the girl’s statement, she had used her father’s mobile phone to communicate with the suspects, and 40 people have been identified by verifying the phone details and the information from a diary in her possession. The Pathanamthitta Child Welfare Committee (CWC) stated that individuals outside the district might also be involved in the case. As this is an unusual case, she was referred to a psychologist for more in-depth counseling.

The CWC also revealed that several phone numbers of potential suspects were found saved on her father’s phone. Meanwhile, activists of the National Mahila Federation, the women’s wing of CPI, on Saturday took out a march led by former MLA E. S. Bijimol to the Pathanamthitta police station, demanding the arrest of all the accused in the case. CPI(M) politburo member Subhashini Ali also demanded severe punishment for the guilty in the case.

"The LDF Govt and its Child Welfare Council have done well in giving the survivor confidence and help. Severe punishment to the guilty," she posted on her X account.