57 arrested in Kerala for sexual abuse of Dalit girl, 62 accused over 5 years

Kerala police have arrested 57 of the 59 individuals accused in the sexual abuse case involving an 18-year-old Dalit girl in Pathanamthitta district. The victim, who had been allegedly subjected to continuous abuse since she was 13 years old, named 62 people in her complaint. The final arrest occurred on Sunday morning when a 25-year-old man was apprehended from his home. Two individuals remain abroad and are yet to be arrested. Police are focusing on completing the investigation and submitting a charge sheet as soon as possible.

The abuse came to light after the victim's teachers observed significant behavioral changes and alerted the District Child Welfare Committee. During counseling sessions with the victim, she revealed the extent of the abuse, which led to the registration of a case at the Ilavumthitta police station on January 10. Based on the victim's statements, police have registered 30 cases at four police stations in the district.

The investigation revealed that the victim was sexually abused multiple times by the accused over five years. She described being gang-raped on at least five occasions, including incidents in a car and at the Pathanamthitta General Hospital. Investigators also found that the victim was transported to various locations by the accused after initially meeting her at a private bus stand. The abuse was reported to have occurred at different locations within the district.

A special investigation team (SIT), headed by woman IPS officer S. Ajitha Beegam, is conducting the investigation under the supervision of Pathanamthitta District Police Chief VG Vinod Kumar. The police have arrested all the individuals who were in the country, and the investigation is focused on gathering more evidence to prepare the charge sheet. The authorities are prioritizing the case to ensure that all those responsible are brought to justice.

The police are working to ensure that the victim receives the necessary support while continuing their investigation. A total of 30 cases have been filed, and the charge sheet will be submitted once the investigation is complete. The authorities are continuing to track down the remaining accused to ensure that they face legal action for their alleged involvement in the abuse.