Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

49 men arrested in India for repeated sexual abuse of teenager

The abuse reportedly began when she was 13 and involved approximately 60 men, according to the police in the southern state of Kerala.

49 men arrested in India for repeated sexual abuse of teenager

India reported nearly 90 rapes per day in 2022, though experts believe the actual numbers are significantly higher due to underreporting. (Representational image: Getty)

POLICE in India have arrested 49 men for the repeated sexual abuse of a teenager over several years, officials told AFP on Wednesday.

The victim, now 18, is a Dalit, a community often targeted for sexual violence in a country with high rates of crimes against women.


The abuse reportedly began when she was 13 and involved approximately 60 men, according to the police in the southern state of Kerala.

"Forty-nine people have been taken into custody," Nandakumar S, a police official from the Pathanamthitta district in Kerala, told AFP.

The accused were known to the victim and included neighbours and family friends, police said.

Rajeev N, a lawyer and head of a local child welfare committee, said the victim’s parents were unaware of what she had endured.

"The child is being kept away from the media, and only police are visiting her to record her statements," he told AFP.

According to a report in The Indian Express, one of the accused allegedly blackmailed the victim with a video he had recorded during what he described as “physical relations.”

The man reportedly shared the video with friends, who then also sexually assaulted the teenager.

Investigations revealed that the victim was gang-raped on at least five occasions, including once at a local hospital, police said.

India reported nearly 90 rapes per day in 2022, though experts believe the actual numbers are significantly higher due to underreporting.

Separately, a court in Kolkata is expected to deliver its verdict this week in a case involving the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor last year.

Her bloodied body was found at a state-run hospital, sparking national outrage and protests over violence against women.

(With inputs from AFP)

More For You

Indian man arrested in US for alleged sexual assault

Singh is charged with “assault with sexual motivation” (Photo for representation: iStock)

Indian man arrested in US for alleged sexual assault

AN INDIAN national is among four persons arrested by US immigration authorities over charges related to sexual assault.

Jaspal Singh, 29, an Indian citizen was arrested on January 29 in Tukwila, Washington.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer sacks minister over WhatsApp messages

Andrew Gwynne (Photo: UK parliament)

Starmer sacks minister over WhatsApp messages

A Labour party lawmaker said he regretted "badly misjudged" comments after prime minister Keir Starmer sacked him as a minister.

It is the latest bump in the road Starmer's government has hit in its first seven months in power despite a landslide election victory in July last year.

Keep ReadingShow less
modi-bjp-reuters

BJP supporters celebrate in New Delhi. (Photo: Reuters)

Modi's BJP wins Delhi assembly election after 27 years

INDIAN prime minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that "development had won" as his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured victory in Delhi’s local elections, ending a 27-year gap since it last controlled the capital’s legislature.

"Development has won, good governance has won," Modi said after Delhi’s former chief minister, a key opposition leader, conceded defeat.

Keep ReadingShow less
Uganda-high-commission-event

The event also focused on Uganda’s role in cultural diplomacy and sustainable development.

Uganda high commission hosts heritage event in London

THE UGANDA high commission in London hosted an event highlighting Uganda’s cultural heritage and investment opportunities at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Building. The event featured a performance by the Watoto Children’s Choir.

Uganda’s high commissioner to the UK, Nimisha J Madhvani, addressed the gathering, welcoming guests and speaking about the country’s cultural diversity.

Keep ReadingShow less