NEW DELHI – Indian Police in Kerala have arrested two police officers , whoraped a minor girl from Alappuzha for over nine months, officials said onWednesday.
The police arrested the girl’s relative, the key accused in the case, andfour others on Tuesday based on the 16-year-old school girl’s statement,Hindustan Times has reported.
KG Lyju, a sub-inspector on probation at Mararikulam police station inAlappuzha district, and civil police officer Nelson Thomas were among thoseheld for allegedly raping the girl.
The arrested also include two men from Ernakulam, the police added.
“We have registered cases under different sections of the Protection ofChildren Against Sexual Offences Act (Pocso) and Juvenile Justice Act. Morearrests are likely in the case,” Alappuzha district superintendent ofpolice K Surendran said.
Surendran said a special investigation team has been constituted under thedistrict’s deputy superintendent of police PV Baby to probe the case. Headded that her relative, the key accused in the case, had been taking thegirl to various places where she was subjected to repeated sexual assaults.
Police said she was a frequent visitor to the victim’s house and exploitedthe poor economic condition of her family. They said the girl’s father isdisabled and mother is mentally ill.
The girl’s relative used to take the victim, a school drop-out, during hertrips to various places after gaining the confidence of her parents. Shepresented the minor to several men and accepted money in return.
The incident came to light after the girl’s neighbours overheard herarguing with the woman and alerted the police. The girl refused to open upbut later she told a woman police officer that she was being sexuallyassaulted for the last nine months.
A woman police officer said the parents were not aware of the plight of theminor, adding that they did not suspect anything wrong since the woman wasa close relative of the girl.
The police officer, who is a part of the investigation team, also said thatthe girl can’t remember some of the accused who assaulted her, but the SITsuspect more than 15 people are involved in the racket.