Pathanamthitta (Kerala):
Nine more people have been detained for raping a girl from the Dalit community at different places. According to the police, so far 15 people have been detained in this case. Police officials said that six people were arrested on Friday after five FIRs were registered in two police stations in Pathanamthitta district.
Police said that the arrests were made on the basis of the statement of the 18-year-old girl. She has alleged that she was raped several times since the age of 16. The victim girl is an athlete. Officials said police found evidence that suggested the girl was raped by multiple people, including her coach, fellow athletes and classmates.
Police sources said that as per the girl’s statement, she had used her father’s mobile phone to communicate with the suspects. He said that 40 people have been identified by verifying the details of the phone and the information obtained from the diary kept by the girl.
More than 60 people suspected to be involved in the case
He said that more than 60 people are suspected to be involved in this case and FIRs have been registered in various police stations of Pathanamthitta.
A top police official said that these incidents happened when the girl was a minor, hence sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO) and Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act will also be imposed against the accused.
Pathanamthitta Child Welfare Committee (CWC) said that persons from outside Pathanamthitta district may also have been involved in this case. According to the CWC President, the girl was a victim of rape since the age of 13. He told a news channel that the girl was sent to a psychologist for intensive counselling. The CWC Chairman also said that phone numbers of several suspected accused were found in the phone of the girl’s father.
Police officials said that a total of five FIRs have been registered in connection with the rape incident. He said that more FIRs will be lodged in the case and more arrests will be made.
The matter came to light due to changes in the girl’s behavior.
According to the police, this matter came to light during the counseling done by the Child Welfare Committee. In fact, the girl’s teachers had informed the committee about the changes in her behaviour. The committee later informed the police, who started an investigation.
A senior police officer said that a special investigation team has been formed under the chairmanship of Pathanamthitta Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) to investigate the case. A detailed investigation is being conducted in the matter.