Pathanamthitta (Keralam) [India], July 4 : The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has registered a suo motu (on its own motion) case regarding the incident where a 13-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by her classmates in Pathanamthitta.
The case was registered by Commission Chairman KV Manoj Kumar, based on media reports. The Commission will direct the concerned officials to submit a detailed report regarding the incident and stated that it would closely monitor the progress of the investigation.
The victim was subjected to sexual assault by her classmates in Pathanamthitta, Konni. According to the police, the ninth-grade student was assaulted at multiple locations. There are 10 accused in the case, including a girl, and six persons have already been taken into custody.
The incident occurred last May. The police stated that the 13-year-old girl was assaulted multiple times by a group of 10 people. The abuse took place at the school premises, including the school restroom, as well as at the residence of the accused girl. Six of the individuals on the accused list are minors.
The victim revealed the abuse to Childline authorities during a school counselling session. The police have also received information that classmates jointly assaulted the girl. Based on the victim's statement, the police are planning a detailed investigation.
The police further noted that two adults are involved in the crime. A detailed probe is also underway regarding the girl who allegedly facilitated the assault by the classmates.
Currently, the Police have taken six people into custody, two of whom are adults. Notably, one of the adult detainees is also an accused in a previous case in Pathanamthitta, where a minor girl was assaulted by over 50 people.
The police will also investigate whether the Koodal incident has any links to that assault, which took place a year and a half ago.
The Commission has sought reports from the District Child Protection Officer, the District Police Chief, and the Child Welfare Committee regarding the incident.