Kerala SIT Nabs 44 In Dalit Girl Sexual Abuse Case, Two Accused Abroad

PATHANAMTHITTA: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kerala Police, investigating the alleged sexual abuse of a Dalit girl in Pathanamthitta district, has arrested 44 individuals to date, according to a senior police officer.

DIG S. Ajeetha Begum, who is supervising the probe, confirmed that 30 FIRs have been registered in connection with the case. Of the 59 accused listed in these FIRs, 44 have been detained.

"Two of the accused are currently abroad and evading arrest. We are considering issuing Look Out Circulars against them and may request a Red Corner Notice through Interpol," the DIG said in a statement to the media.

Thirteen suspects are still at large. "Efforts are underway to locate and apprehend them. The SIT is committed to conducting a meticulous and scientific investigation, ensuring that all the accused are held accountable. There will be no compromise in bringing them to justice," she emphasized.

Preliminary investigations revealed that several accused first met the victim at a private bus stand in Pathanamthitta. She was then taken to different locations in vehicles, where she was subjected to abuse. Police discovered that while in Class XII last year, the girl was lured by a youth she had connected with on Instagram to a rubber plantation in Ranni, where he and three others sexually assaulted her.

In her complaint, the victim alleged she had been sexually abused by 62 individuals since the age of 13. The issue came to light during counseling sessions organized by the Child Welfare Committee after her teachers noticed significant changes in her behavior and reported their concerns.

Following the Committee’s notification, police launched an investigation. A SIT was formed to conduct a comprehensive probe, led by Pathanamthitta Deputy SP P. S. Nandakumar under the guidance of District Police Chief V. G. Vinod Kumar.

The team consists of over 30 officers, including women personnel, from various ranks and stations. DIG S. Ajeetha Begum also stated that more officers would be added to the SIT after the conclusion of the Sabarimala pilgrimage season.

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