Thiruvananthapuram, July 01: The Kerala government will meet all the expenses required to rehabilitate the minor girl who had allegedly been forced into sex with more than 100 people, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has said. More than 40 people, including her parents, have been arrested.
Chandy has written to Congress legislator V.D. Satheesan, who had sought the chief minister’s intervention in the horrific case, promising that the state government would do all it could to help the girl.
“A doctor’s panel will be formed and she would be subjected to detailed medical examination and whatever needs to be done would be done. Her safety and security will also be taken care and the district collector and the district superintendent of police have been asked to work out a plan for this,” Chandy wrote.
The sexual abuse occurred two years ago when the girl, from Kochi, was 14. It came to light in March this year after her relatives complained to police. Since then, 48 people have been arrested.
These include her father, who allegedly forced her into sex so she could get a chance to act in film, and her mother who concealed the crime. Also arrested are middle-level politicians, agents, an Arab national, a doctor and some from the film industry.
A senior police official said more than 60 people from a broad spectrum of society, including the rich and mighty, were yet to be arrested.
The investigating team was expanded early this week and it has now sought the help of the Interpol to nab some of those accused who have gone abroad.
The girl is currently lodged in an undisclosed location and is undergoing counselling. She is keen to resume her studies.
—Agencies