The growing number of sexual abuse cases in Kerala is deeply alarming. One recent case that has shocked the state involves the sexual exploitation of a minor girl in Pathanamthitta, which reportedly began when she was just 13 years old.
In connection with this case, 64 people have been arrested so far. Shockingly, two of the accused are said to have fled abroad to evade legal action. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan shared this information during a session in the Kerala Assembly while responding to a query. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has registered 31 cases—30 in Pathanamthitta and one in Thiruvananthapuram.
Among the 64 arrested, seven are reportedly minors. The Chief Minister stated that the SIT is operating under three Deputy Police Superintendents (DySPs) in Pathanamthitta and one in Varkala.
The case came to light when the victim, a young sports personality, disclosed the years of sexual abuse she endured to a community counselor. The counselor alerted the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) in Pathanamthitta district. According to CWC Chairman N. Rajeev, the victim had multiple sessions with the committee before the report was finalized.
An additional report was submitted to the Pathanamthitta District Police Chief. Investigations revealed that the accused were contacting the victim through her father’s mobile phone, primarily during night hours. The victim had saved their names and contact numbers in her father’s phone.
The majority of the accused were her friends, batchmates, and residents of the same colony. The victim is now 18 years old and revealed that she had been subjected to abuse for five years. The accused include sports trainers, classmates, and fellow athletes. The incidents reportedly occurred in various locations, including a private bus stand, a rubber plantation, and even the Pathanamthitta General Hospital in January 2024.
The case was brought to the attention of the CWC after the victim’s teachers noticed behavioral changes and suspected something was amiss.
The SIT, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police P.S. Nandakumar and supervised by District Police Chief V.G. Vinodkumar, comprises 30 officers, including women personnel. Thiruvananthapuram Range Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ajeetha Begum, IPS, has stated that additional officers will join the team after the Sabarimala pilgrim season.
The police are focused on gathering scientific evidence, examining mobile phones, and securing documentation to build a strong case.
The National Commission for Women (NCW) has demanded the prompt arrest of all accused and has sought a detailed action-taken report (ATR).
Worrying Statistics
This incident is yet another addition to the grim statistics on sexual abuse in Kerala. Reports indicate that over 4,000 cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act were registered in 2024. This number is expected to exceed 4,500 once December 2024 data is finalized by February 2025. In 2023, Kerala recorded 4,641 POCSO cases, with Thiruvananthapuram topping the list.
POCSO Cases in 2023 by District:
These troubling figures raise questions about the claims made by the CPM-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, which often asserts that Kerala is a model state excelling in every sector.
