The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kerala Police, probing the high-profile case of alleged sexual abuse of a Dalit girl in Pathanamthitta district, has arrested 44 individuals so far, a senior police official confirmed on Tuesday.
DIG S Ajeetha Begum, overseeing the investigation, stated that 30 FIRs have been filed in connection with the case. Out of the 59 accused named, 44 have been apprehended.
“Two of the accused are on the run and currently abroad. We are considering issuing Look Out Circulars for them and planning to seek a Red Corner Notice through Interpol,” she told TV channels. She added that efforts are underway to locate and arrest the remaining 13 suspects.
“A foolproof and scientific investigation will be carried out by the SIT. We will not spare any of the accused. There will be no compromise. We will bring all of them before the law,” DIG Begum emphasized.
Investigation Details
According to the police, the investigation has revealed that several accused met the victim at a private bus stand in Pathanamthitta before taking her to different locations in vehicles where she was subjected to abuse.
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The probe uncovered that in 2023, while the girl was in Class XII, she was taken to a rubber plantation in Ranni by a youth she had met through Instagram. There, she was raped by him and three others. Police said the victim was gang-raped on at least five occasions, including inside a car and at the Pathanamthitta General Hospital in January 2024.
The girl, now 18 years old, revealed in her complaint that she had been sexually abused by 62 individuals since the age of 13. The incidents came to light during counselling sessions conducted by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). Teachers at her educational institution had referred her to the committee after noticing significant changes in her behaviour.
SIT’s Approach
The SIT, led by Pathanamthitta Deputy SP P S Nandakumar and supervised by District Police Chief V G Vinod Kumar, comprises over 30 officers, including women from various ranks. DIG Ajeetha Begum mentioned that additional officers would be incorporated into the SIT once the Sabarimala pilgrimage season concludes.
The SIT’s ongoing investigation aims to ensure justice for the victim through a meticulous and uncompromising approach. “We are determined to bring all accused to justice and ensure a watertight case,” DIG Begum stated, reaffirming the police’s commitment to upholding the law and providing justice in this tragic case.
