16-year-old boy sexually abused: One more person arrested, six people on the run

KASARGOD: One more person has been arrested in connection with the sexual abuse of a 16-year-old boy in Cheruvathur. The arrested individual has been identified as Gireesh, a native of Payyannur. With this, the total number of persons arrested in the case has reached 10. Six more people are yet to be arrested, and the police have intensified the search for them.

The boy told Childline that he was subjected to sexual abuse at home and in different places over the last three years. The boy met the accused through a dating app. A total of 16 people, including government employees, local political leaders and football coaches, are accused in the case.

The police obtained strong evidence upon examining the phone of the child. It was also found that the boy had an account on the dating app. The police are examining how a minor student was able to open an account in the app. During the investigation, it was found that the accused used to call the boy on the phone and send him money. They were tracked down using phone location data.

It is said that Youth League leader Sirajudeen, who is absconding, is attempting for an anticipatory bail. The probe related to the accused is being conducted mainly in Ernakulam and Kozhikode districts, as the cases have been transferred to Payyannur, Kozhikode Kasaba, and Kochi Elamakkara police stations. Earlier, the police had found that the accused sexually abused the boy after giving him money.

The probe is also focusing on the agent who connected the accused with the boy. Police suspect that there may be more accused in the case. Five Circle Inspectors are investigating the case, which was registered at the Chandera police station.