An 18-year-old Dalit woman from Kerala, southern India, has accused 64 men of sexually abusing her since she was 13 years old.
Police have arrested 28 individuals in connection with the case, with ages ranging from 17 to 47, including neighbors, sports coaches, and her father’s friends.
The woman reported the abuse after counselors, working under a government scheme, visited her home.
The police have filed 18 charges under various Indian crime laws, including the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, which protects lower-caste individuals, as well as the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, as the abuse occurred while she was a minor.
The abuse reportedly began when she was 13, with a neighbor allegedly molesting her and taking explicit photos.
The neighbor later abused her again when she was 16, recording and sharing videos with others. Over the years, her abusers continued to assault her, reportedly using her father’s phone number to contact her.
The woman was unaware that the abuse was being reported until a team of counselors visited her home and informed the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), which then took action.
The woman was subsequently moved to a shelter for her protection. Police continue their investigation, and more cases are expected to be registered.
The woman is set to give a detailed statement about the abuse, which has shocked the nation.
Source-BBC
