30 held so far for sexually abusing minor girl in Kerala

Malappuram: Police have arrested as many as 30 persons on different dates so far and efforts are on to nab the other accused after a 17-year-old minor girl in Pandikkad village near here has recently revealed that she has been sexually abused and molested by many for the past few months.

The girl was sexually abused in 2016, when she was just 13. She was sent back to her home after due counselling and formalities.

However, she was sexually abused once again at her house, about a year after the first incident.

Following this, the Malappuram Child Welfare Committee (CWC) in consultation with the Child Protection Officer, had admitted her to the Child Home. After due deliberations and taking into account the provisions of Juvenile Justice Act, the child was sent back to her house with her mother and brother a year ago.

It was recently that the child was reported missing and the police traced her from Palakkad in December 2019. Following this, she was housed at the Nibhaya centre in Manjeri where she was counselled which exposed the new episode of series of abuses by many since her release from Child Home.

According to sources, there are some mismatches in the incidents that shaped up and there are serious doubts that the sexual abuses were with or without consent. The responsibility of the caretakers, including her mother, with whom the girl was sent back a year ago, are also under the scanner.

Whether or not the series of sexual abuses and involvement of many in the case, the police has registered a case under POCSO Act and is investigating further into the matter. (UNI)