Pathanamthitta:
9 extra individuals had been taken into custody for allegedly raping a Dalit lady, who’s an athlete, at numerous areas when she was a minor, police on Saturday mentioned. In response to the police, 15 individuals have been held in reference to the case thus far.
Six individuals had been arrested on Friday after registering 5 FIRs in two police stations within the Pathanamthitta district, they added.
The arrests had been made based mostly on the assertion of an 18-year-old lady, who alleged she had been subjected to rape a number of instances because the age of 16, the police mentioned.
The police added that they obtained proof indicating that the lady was exploited by people together with her coaches, fellow athletes, and classmates.
As per the assertion of the lady, she had used her father’s cell phone to speak with the suspects and 40 individuals have been recognized by verifying the telephone particulars and the knowledge from the diary in her possession, police sources mentioned.
Over 60 persons are suspected to be concerned within the case and FIRs have been filed in numerous police stations in Pathanamthitta, they added. The arrest of these in custody will probably be recorded by Saturday night, they added.
Because the incidents occurred when she was a minor, sections of the Safety of Youngsters from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, additionally could be invoked in opposition to the accused, a prime police official mentioned.
In the meantime, the Pathanamthitta Youngster Welfare Committee (CWC) acknowledged that people outdoors the Pathanamthitta district may also be concerned within the case.
In response to the CWC chairman, the lady had been a sufferer of sexual exploitation because the age of 13. Because it was an uncommon case, she was referred to a psychologist for extra in-depth counseling, he informed a information channel. The CWC additionally revealed that a number of telephone numbers of potential suspects had been discovered saved on her father’s telephone.
A complete of 5 FIRs have been registered in reference to the rape incident allegedly involving a number of individuals and extra FIRs will probably be filed and extra arrests will happen, police mentioned.
The problem got here to mild throughout counselling performed by the Youngster Welfare Committee, after the sufferer’s lecturers at an academic establishment knowledgeable the panel about noticeable adjustments in her behaviour. The committee subsequently notified the police, who initiated an investigation.
A particular investigation workforce headed by Pathanamthitta DySP has been constituted to hold out the inquiry. An in depth investigation is underway, a prime police officer mentioned.
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