Police in Kerala, a southern Indian state, have arrested 44 men accused of raping an 18-year-old girl over a span of five years, a case that has sent shockwaves through the coastal tourist region.
The victim, an athlete from the Dalit community—one of India’s most marginalized groups—alleged in a statement to police that she was sexually abused by 62 individuals.
Authorities have identified 58 suspects so far, with 44 arrested in the last two days, officials said. “We have identified the remaining 14, and they will be arrested soon,” said P.S. Nandakumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police in Pathanamthitta district, where the crimes reportedly occurred.
The case surfaced when the victim disclosed the abuse during a gender awareness program. According to her statement, the assaults began when she was 13 after being allegedly raped by a neighbor. Police are still investigating the details of how the crimes were committed.
Local media reported that four of the accused are minors. Under Indian law, individuals accused of rape against lower-caste victims are not granted immediate bail.
India recorded over 31,000 reported rapes in 2022, according to the latest official data. Conviction rates, however, remain alarmingly low.
The victim’s case comes amid growing outrage over sexual violence in the country. Last year, the rape and murder of a medical trainee in Kolkata sparked nationwide protests, with demonstrators calling for stricter enforcement of laws and swift justice for victims.
