Kerala Police, on Monday, has registered 32 cases against 44 men on charges of rape and molestation against a 17-year-old girl in Pandikkad region of Mallapuram district. The girl alleged that she was abused over the past several months.
The 17-year-old survivor is at present living in a rescue home managed by the Child Welfare Committee. The police have arrested 20 out of 44. This is the third time the victim has faced sexual abuse. Earlier, she was abused in 2016 and again in 2017.
“The victim had given 164 statements before the magistrate that she was sexually abused for the third time. She was sexually abused in 2016 and 2017 since she was 13 years old. After the incident, she was at the Nirbhaya shelter home. Later she was sent to her relatives where she faced sexual assault for the third time.” said Deputy Superintendent of Police PP Shams.
A member of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) said that they are monitoring the police investigation. He added by saying that they suspect an act of personal revenge or vested interest behind it since people suspected were from a particular area. Further proceedings will be in accordance with the law.
