Kerala, India – In a shocking case of sexual abuse, authorities in Kerala have arrested 58 men and boys in connection with the rape and gang rape of an 18-year-old girl over five years.
The accused include school friends, family members, and neighbours, with two suspects who had fled the country, according to reports.
The survivor, who belongs to the Dalit community, approached the police in January to report the years-long abuse.
The accused, aged 17 to 47, included married men, college students, former classmates, and daily wage labourers. The involvement of four minors and two others who were underage at the time of the crime has further complicated the investigation.
Case dates back to when the victim was 13 years old, with local media naming Subin, a childhood acquaintance from her neighborhood, as one of the first accused.
Subin allegedly sexually assaulted the girl and recorded videos and images, which he later used to blackmail her into providing sexual favours for a friend. This led to further exploitation as more individuals were introduced to the cycle of abuse.
Authorities revealed that over the years, the girl’s contact details and photographs were shared among different groups of men.
The victim was reportedly gang-raped three times in five years.
According to Rajeev, Chairperson of the Child Welfare Committee in Pathanamthitta, many accused were from her local community.
Police investigations found that the perpetrators used the victim’s father’s phone number to communicate with her. Officers are now utilizing the device to track down more suspects.
The abuse allegedly took place in various secluded locations, including an abandoned bus stand and isolated areas of the local general hospital.
The case has sent shockwaves through Kerala’s Dalit community, which has long suffered marginalization and discrimination. With 166 million Dalits in India, reports suggest they often face inhumane treatment and systemic injustice.
A 2020 study by NGO Equality Now highlighted how sexual violence is frequently used as a means of oppression against Dalit women, with perpetrators from dominant castes often escaping justice.
Despite reporting their experiences, Dalit women frequently encounter legal hurdles, as a culture of impunity makes justice challenging to attain. Like many before her, the survivor in this case now faces a brutal battle for accountability and redress.
