Note: The content of this story might be disturbing for some readers
An Indian girl from one of the most marginalised communities has been raped for five years by 60 men in Kerala, starting when she was just 13 years old, CNN reported.
From 60 men, at least 58 men and boys have been arrested for sexually assaulting and raping the girl. But two more men linked to the case have left the country, according to Kerala Police Deputy Inspector General Ajeetha Begum.
The accused include her schoolmates, relatives, and neighbours—men from various parts of her life, ranging from minors to men in their mid-40s, as per case documents and local police interviews.
But no charges have been filed yet, and the 58 men are still in detention. None of them has publicly commented on the allegations. Indian rape laws protect the girl’s identity.
The allegations came to light when the girl disclosed her traumatic experiences to a counsellor during a college visit.
The accused include schoolmates, relatives, and neighbours, with ages ranging from minors to men in their mid-40s.
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At least three of her abusers promised to marry her while one threatened to kill her if she reported what happened. Some men acted alone, but others are accused of gang rape. “Not all cases are connected, but in some, there might be four or five offenders,” said Begum from Kerala Police.
Many of the men contacted the girl through her father’s phone on social media apps like Instagram and WhatsApp late at night after her father had gone to sleep.
The abuse occurred in both private and public places, including homes, cars, bus stops, and fields. Some cases allegedly involved men who were strangers living far away in other towns.
