Pathanamthitta: The Kerala Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested 44 individuals in connection with the alleged prolonged sexual abuse of a Dalit girl in the district, a senior officer confirmed on Tuesday.
DIG S. Ajeetha Begum, overseeing the investigation, revealed that 30 FIRs have been registered in the case, which names 59 accused. Of these, 44 have been apprehended.
“Two of the accused are currently abroad. We are considering issuing Lookout Circulars and plan to request a Red Corner Notice through Interpol to ensure their capture,” the DIG stated during a media interaction.
She added that 13 more individuals remain at large. “Efforts are ongoing to locate them, and they will be arrested soon. The SIT will conduct a scientific and foolproof investigation. There will be no compromise, and all accused will be brought to justice,” she asserted.
Case Details:
The investigation uncovered that several accused first encountered the victim at a private bus stand in Pathanamthitta. They allegedly transported her to various locations in vehicles where she was subjected to sexual abuse.
One incident involved a youth, whom the girl met via Instagram while she was in Class XII last year. He reportedly lured her to a rubber plantation in Ranni, where he, along with three others, raped her.
Police findings indicate the girl was gang-raped on at least five occasions, including in a car and within the Pathanamthitta General Hospital in January 2024.
The victim, now 18 years old, has alleged in her complaint that she was sexually abused by 62 individuals since the age of 13.
The case came to light during counselling sessions organized by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). The sessions followed a report from the victim’s teachers, who observed noticeable behavioral changes in her. The CWC subsequently alerted the police, prompting the current investigation.
Investigation Updates:
A Special Investigation Team, led by Pathanamthitta Deputy SP P.S. Nandakumar and supervised by District Police Chief V.G. Vinod Kumar, has been formed to conduct a comprehensive probe. The team comprises over 30 officers, including women, from various ranks and stations.
DIG S. Ajeetha Begum mentioned that additional officers would join the SIT after the conclusion of the Sabarimala pilgrimage season to strengthen the investigation further.
