PATHANAMTHITTA: Kerala Police on Monday arrested 14 more people, aged between 18 and 25 years, in connection with the rape and sexual abuse of a Dalit girl in Pathanamthitta district, taking the total number of accused in custody to 42.
The survivor, who turned 18 two months ago, alleged in her complaint that she had been raped and abused by nearly 60 people since she was 13.
Based on her statement, 29 cases have been registered at various police stations in the district so far. One of the accused is suspected to have gone abroad and police are likely to issue a lookout notice for him, sources said.
The survivor revealed in her statement that she was subjected to gang rape on the premises of Pathanamthitta general hospital and various other places in the town, police said.
District police chief VG Vinodkumar said a detailed probe was being conducted after examining mobile phones of the accused and the one used by the survivor, along with other evidence. Police are collecting scientific evidence, he said.
Those arrested on Monday are Amal, Adarsh, Akash, Sivakumar, Umesh, Sreeju, Aji, Aswin, Sajin, Abhijith, Joji Mathew, Ambady, Aravind and Akash. Child rights commission member S Sunanda met the survivor, who is currently housed at a shelter home in the district.
