Kerala: 14 people out of 62 remanded to judicial custody in minor girl rape case

The girl, who is now 18 years old, has alleged in her complaint that she was sexually abused by 62 individuals since the age of 13

PTI, 12.01.25 : Fourteen people have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of a Dalit girl in the district, police said on Sunday.

All the 14 accused were sent to judicial custody by a court here for 14 days. Several others have been taken into police custody in the rape case, they said.

Investigation is underway and more arrests will be recorded, an official said.

Meanwhile, nine FIRs were registered in two police stations in Pathanamthitta district, sources on Sunday said.

The girl, who is 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 that they received evidence indicating that the girl was exploited by her sports trainers, fellow athletes and classmates.

Calling for 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 emphasised on fair and time-bound investigation to deliver justice.

The Kerala Women's Commission (KWC) has registered a case on its own and its chairperson P Sathi Devi has directed the Pathanamthitta Superintendent of Police to immediately submit a report in this regard, the Commission said in a release.

The matter came to light during counselling conducted by the Child Welfare Committee, after the victim's teachers at an educational institution informed the panel about noticeable changes in her behaviour.

The Committee, subsequently, notified the police and a special investigation team headed by the Pathanamthitta Deputy Superintendent of Police has been constituted to carry out the inquiry.

Agencies: The Dalit athlete from Kerala was sexually abused by at least 62 men over the past five years. The 18-year-old girl from Pathanamthitta district reportedly stated that her family was unaware she was being sexually abused. The Kerala Police has taken into custody a total of 15 people after the incidences of sexual harassment came to limelight. Among those who have been accused of sexually abusing the teen are her coaches, classmates, and fellow athletes. 

The district-level athlete, a girl of Dalit identity, had been sexually abused since she was 13, Indian Express reported. The incident of sexual abuse came to light when volunteers of the Kerala Mahila Samakhya Society met the girl during a random field visit.

Kerala girl's abusers were on her father's contact list

Advocate N Rajeev, who heads the Pathanamthitta Child Welfare Committee, told Indian Express that the girl’s family was unaware of the alleged sexual abuse over the years. “She hadn’t shared anything with the mother. Since the girl is a district-level athlete, she has attended various sports camps over the years. That situation might have facilitated this series of sexual abuse,” he added.

“She used the mobile phone of her father, an alcoholic. Most of the perpetrators were identified from the list of contacts in the mobile phone. Many numbers were found saved in it,” Rajeev said.

A News18 report stated that the 18-year-old Dalit athlete started facing abuse at the age of 13 when her neighbour forcibly tried to show her pornographic videos.

The girl was then abused by the accused at an isolated hill close to their house and later was also raped by his friends.

Cases have been registered against 40 men under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. On Saturday nine people were taken into custody, after six were arrested on Friday. 

According to Pathanamthitta Superintendent of Police VG Vinod Kumar, the cases have been registered in two police stations. “In one case we arrested five people, and a lone accused in another case."

Five men arrested by the Kerala Police on Friday were identified as Subin, S Sandeep, VK Vineeth, K Anandu, and Srini. 

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.

The NCW took to microblogging site X to inform that they had taken cognisance of the incidents that involves a Dalit teen athlete getting sexually abused by at least sixty two men over five years in Kerala’s Pathanamthitta district.

“While 5 accused have been arrested, the Commission strongly condemns this heinous crime and has directed authorities to ensure the immediate arrest of all accused, a fair and time-bound investigation, and necessary support for the victim, including medical and psychological care. A detailed action taken report has been sought within 3 days.”, the NCW said.