Girl abused for the first time at 13: 44 suspected rapists arrested

By Dirk Godder

New Delhi (India) - Police in the southern Indian state of Kerala are investigating 59 men who allegedly raped the same teenagers over a period of five years. Of the suspects, 44 have been arrested so far, reported the broadcaster NDTV and other Indian media, citing the police chief of the Pathanamthitta district in Kerala, Ajeetha Begum.

Demonstrators recently drew attention to the rape and murder of a doctor. In another case, 44 suspected rapists have now been arrested.
Demonstrators recently drew attention to the rape and murder of a doctor. In another case, 44 suspected rapists have now been arrested.  © Avishek Das/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Efforts are being made to locate the others. Two of them are probably abroad. In this case, her agency could ask Interpol to have the two men declared wanted internationally, Begum was quoted as saying.

The teenager, now 18, reportedly initially told a child welfare committee that she had been raped by single youths or men since she was 13 years old. In some cases, the crime was committed jointly by several people.

The accusation is directed against former sports coaches, classmates or members of her club.

She was sexually abused in various places, including a hospital.

At the lowest level of the caste system

A special police investigation team, which was alerted by the committee, is looking into the case of the teenager. According to reports by NDTV, the girl belongs to the Dalits, formerly known as "untouchables", who are placed at the lowest level of the Hindu caste system.

They are among the poorest people in the world's most populous country. According to official data, a new case of rape is reported in India every quarter of an hour. The actual figure is likely to be significantly higher, as women's rights activists repeatedly emphasize.