The Kerala police have arrested 15 more individuals in connection with the Pathanamthitta POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) case, in which an 18-year-old Dalit woman has alleged that over 60 men sexually assaulted her. According to reports, 20 individuals are currently in custody, including minors. Nine First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered across two different police stations. The young woman alleged that the assault occurred over the past five years, starting when she was 13.
Since the complainant was a minor when the incidents occurred, those arrested have been charged under various sections of the POCSO Act and then the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
All arrests have been made based on statements given by the survivor, and further arrests are expected. The issue came to light after the survivor revealed the abuse during a counselling session at her educational institution. Following this, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) took up the case and informed the police. The investigation is currently being led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Nandakumar and Inspector Vinod Krishnan.
The Kerala State Women’s Commission also took up a suo motu case and the National Commission for Women has demanded a report.
According to reports, the abuse began in 2019, when her neighbour, Subin (24), molested her at the age of 13 and captured her nude photographs. He also allegedly sexually assaulted her when she was 16, recorded explicit videos, and shared them with other accused individuals, who also assaulted her over the subsequent years. The abuse occurred at various locations, including public spaces and her school.
The police collected the details of 40 individuals from her father’s phone, which she used for communication with the abusers. Her parents were reportedly completely unaware of this abuse.
An investigation is underway to locate the remaining accused. Although they are from the same area, they moved to different locations for work over the span of five years.