Kovalam abuse case: Child Rights Commission steps in for 16-year-old girl from Andhra Pradesh

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has registered a suo motu case over the alleged sexual exploitation of a 16-year-old girl from Andhra Pradesh, who was taken to various spas in Kovalam. Commission member Dr F Wilson initiated the action based on media reports. The commission described the incident as extremely serious and said the girl would be provided with counselling.

The Kovalam police launched an investigation following a complaint filed by the girl's aunt, Nagalakshmi, who reported that the girl was missing. During the investigation, the police traced the girl and her boyfriend to Kattakada and apprehended them. The girl was subsequently shifted to a government-run shelter home. During counselling at the facility, she disclosed that she had been sexually abused.

According to the report, the girl's aunt and her husband took her to Ayu Kerala Resort, where she was subjected to sexual exploitation. The aunt and her husband were staying at the spa along with the girl. After a falling-out at the establishment, they took her to Dreams Spa.

Meanwhile, on the 19th of last month, the girl ran away with a young man from the Neyyar Dam area whom she had met at the first spa. The girl disclosed the alleged abuse during a counselling session at the shelter home conducted with the assistance of an interpreter. Following the disclosure, her aunt and the aunt's husband went into hiding. The police had verified that the girl was a minor by contacting the schools where she had studied.