Meanwhile, a three-member team from the National Commission for Scheduled Castes visited Pathanamthitta to meet the survivor.
Published Jan 23, 2025 | 11:50 AM ⚊ Updated Jan 23, 2025 | 11:50 AM
Pinarayi Vijayan. (X)
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed the Kerala Assembly on Thursday, 23 January, that two individuals accused in the serial sexual abuse of a minor girl in the Pathanamthitta district have fled abroad, while one accused remains absconding.
The case involves 59 accused, including the survivor’s batchmates, friends, and residents of her colony. The police have so far arrested 56, including seven minors.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has registered 31 cases regarding serial sexual harassment —30 in Pathanamthitta and one in Thiruvananthapuram.
Meanwhile, a three-member team from the National Commission for Scheduled Castes visited Pathanamthitta to meet the survivor. The team began their visit at the Pathanamthitta Collectorate, where they held discussions with Child Welfare Committee (CWC) officials to assess the progress of the investigation.
According to a CWC member, they have provided updates on the case and assured the delegation of their commitment to ensuring justice.
The team also reviewed the status of compensation for the survivor, with officials confirming that ₹8.25 lakh would be allocated to her.
The Commission is actively monitoring the situation to ensure the investigation proceeds efficiently and all necessary steps are taken to safeguard the survivor’s rights.
Vijayan informed the Assembly that the SIT operates under the supervision of three Deputy Superintendents of Police (DySPs) in Pathanamthitta and one in Varkala of Thiruvananthapuram. He added that Thiruvananthapuram Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) S Ajeetha Beegum is heading the team.
The Dalit girl, an athlete, had been undergoing abuse since she was 13. The incident came to light when she confided the matter in a volunteer of Kudumbashree Mission’s Snehitha initiative during a gender awareness programme. The community counsellor alerted the CWC in Pathanamthitta.
The survivor underwent multiple counselling sessions with CWC’s counsellor and psychologist before a detailed report was prepared.
An additional report was submitted to the Pathanamthitta District Superintendent of Police (SP) VG Vinodkumar.
During the sessions, it was revealed that the accused often contacted the survivor using her father’s mobile phone, primarily at night. The survivor had stored the names and contact numbers of the accused on the phone, which became crucial evidence. The girl, now 18, reportedly said 64 people abused her over the years.
Of the total cases, 11 are being handled by Pathanamthitta police, 17 by Elavumthitta, and one each by Pandalam and Malayalapuzha police.
She reportedly said that her tormenters included coaches, fellow sportspersons, and neighbours. Police said siblings, betrothed and married men, and minors were among those arrested.
VG Vinod Kumar said, ‘’The girl testified that she had been abused by 62 people. but clear evidence was not available against four of them.”
The survivor’s distressing testimony revealed she had been gang-raped at multiple locations, including the Pathanamthitta General Hospital and other areas within the municipality.
(With inputs from Dileep V Kumar and Sreelakshmi Soman.)
