Kerala police and the Child Welfare Committee have busted a shocking sex racket in Malappuram, where several underage boys from a school in Kondotty have been drugged and sexually abused by a group of over 10 men. Five out of 6 boys, studying in classes 11 and 12 , have confirmed that they were subjected to aggressive penetrative sexual assault.

"The incident came to light three days ago. One of the families got in touch with us as they noticed their child behaving oddly. When we questioned them, the boys revealed that they were offered marijuana and abused. They were also given commission for luring other boys into the racket. As of now, we know that 6 victims (all boys) from the same school have been identified. Through them we hope to identify and speak to other children," CWC Malappuram Co-ordinator Anwar told TNM.

Most kids belong to higher secondary classes and a few are suspected to be from middle school. Some kids just turned 18, but they too are allowed to register POCSO complaints till age 25, Anwar added.

Although the victims are mostly from in and around Kondotty, cases have been registered in different parts of Malappuram including Manjeri and Kondotty.

"We have registered cases against 4 of the accused under Section 377 of the IPC and sections 5 and 6 of the POCSO act, which deals with aggravated sexual assault. We have made 3 arrested till now," an officer from the Kondotty police station told TNM.

Cases have are also being investigated by the DYSP of Malappuram as the SC/ST act applied to some of the victims.

"We have registered 4 cases under section 377 of the IPC and sections 3 (use of child for pornographic purposes) and 4 (abetment of and attempt to commit and offence) and 5 and 6 of POCSO," the Malappuram DYSP officer confirmed to TNM.