Police Arrest 49 in Kerala for Alleged Sexual Abuse of 18-Year-Old

In the southern Indian state of Kerala, police have arrested 49 out of 64 individuals accused of sexually abusing an 18-year-old girl over the past five years. The girl, whose identity remains protected, has informed investigators that she faced multiple instances of sexual abuse and gang rape starting from the age of 13. Among the accused are childhood acquaintances, neighbors, and family friends, as well as at least five students from her college and former classmates from her school.

Most of those arrested are reportedly teenagers or young adults in their early twenties. According to the Deputy Superintendent of Police in Pathanamthitta district, Nandakumar S., further arrests are forthcoming as authorities have successfully identified the remaining suspects. The sequence of abuse reportedly began with the girl's next-door neighbor, who allegedly molested her and created explicit images and videos, which he later shared to blackmail her.

The horrifying nature of the girl's experiences surfaced last month when government-affiliated counselors visited her home. During these sessions, she confided in a psychologist about the ongoing sexual abuse she had endured. A team of 25 officers is currently overseeing the investigation into the crimes, which have led to at least 18 legal cases being filed under various Indian laws aimed at protecting vulnerable groups, including provisions for members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

Signalizing the gravity of the incidents, it’s relevant to note that the victim is a member of the Dalit community—the lowest caste in India—historically subjected to systemic discrimination and violence. Additional charges have been filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, given that a majority of the alleged abuses happened while the girl was still a minor. The scale of these accusations has captured national attention, highlighting a broader issue in a country where nearly 90 rapes are reported daily, with many more likely unreported.