Pathanamthitta:
9 extra individuals have been taken into custody for allegedly raping a Dalit woman, who’s an athlete, at varied areas when she was a minor, police on Saturday stated. In response to the police, 15 individuals have been held in reference to the case up to now.
Six individuals have been arrested on Friday after registering 5 FIRs in two police stations within the Pathanamthitta district, they added.
The arrests have been made based mostly on the assertion of an 18-year-old woman, who alleged she had been subjected to rape a number of occasions because the age of 16, the police stated.
The police added that they obtained proof indicating that the woman was exploited by people together with her coaches, fellow athletes, and classmates.
As per the assertion of the woman, 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 data from the diary in her possession, police sources stated.
Over 60 persons are suspected to be concerned within the case and FIRs have been filed in varied police stations in Pathanamthitta, they added. The arrest of these in custody might be recorded by Saturday night, they added.
Because the incidents occurred when she was a minor, sections of the Safety of Kids from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) and Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, additionally can be invoked towards the accused, a high police official stated.
In the meantime, the Pathanamthitta Youngster Welfare Committee (CWC) said that people outdoors the Pathanamthitta district may also be concerned within the case.
In response to the CWC chairman, the woman 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 advised a information channel. The CWC additionally revealed that a number of telephone numbers of potential suspects have 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 might be filed and extra arrests will happen, police stated.
The problem got here to gentle throughout counselling carried out 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 high police officer stated.
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