Kerala: 44 Arrested After Dalit Teen Alleges Years of Sexual Abuse by 64 Men

An 18-year-old Dalit woman from Kerala, India, has opened up about 64 men of sexually abusing her over a span of five years, starting from the age of 13. The allegations have sparked outrage and highlighted persistent issues of caste-based violence and sexual abuse in India. The girl reported that her alleged abusers included neighbours, sports coaches, and even her father's acquaintances. The age of the accused ranges from 17 to 47 years.

A senior district police officer said that the special investigation team (SIT) of Kerala police probing the case has arrested 44 people so far.

DIG S Ajeetha Begum, who is overseeing the investigation, said that 30 FIRs have been registered in connection with the alleged sexual assault of the girl and out of the 59 accused mentioned in the cases, 44 have been arrested.

Investigative Efforts Underway

A team of 25 officers has been assembled to probe the allegations further. Police have registered 18 cases under multiple laws, including:

• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act – as the abuse began during her minor years.

• Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act – designed to protect Dalits from caste-based crimes.

Additional charges and arrests are expected as investigations continue.

Timeline of Abuse

The abuse allegedly started when the girl was 13, with her neighbour molesting her and capturing sexually explicit photographs. At age 16, the same neighbour reportedly repeated the abuse, recording videos that were circulated among others, leading to continued assaults. Over the past five years, the woman claims that men have gang-raped her three times.

Key Revelations and Actions Taken

The woman’s father’s phone was reportedly misused by her abusers to maintain contact. Police are now analyzing the phone to trace the accused. The survivor’s family remained unaware of the abuse until a government-appointed counselling team visited her home.

Counselling and Protection Measures

During counselling sessions, the woman disclosed the traumatic experiences she had endured. Following her revelations, she was placed in a shelter home for her safety under the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). The CWC has confirmed that the woman, who was an athlete attending sports camps, may have been further exploited due to her exposure in such settings.

This case highlights how the intersection of caste, gender, and systemic failure to protect vulnerable individuals. Despite existing laws, Dalits often face societal discrimination and a lack of adequate redressal mechanisms.

The case has sent shockwaves across the nation, prompting demands for justice and systemic reform. Authorities have pledged thorough investigations, with the woman expected to provide a detailed statement to a female police officer in the coming days.