16-year-old boy's sexual assault in Kasaragod; Financial transactions worth lakhs behind crime, lodge operators under lens

KASARAGOD: Shocking details have emerged in the sexual assault case of a minor boy in Chandera Kasaragod. It is reported that financial dealings worth lakhs took place in the crime. The accused met the minor through a popular dating app designed for LGBTQ communities. Police doubt the involvement of lodge operators in the crime. The police also started collecting evidence at the places where the abuse took place. So far, 12 people have been arrested.

Kasaragod District Police Chief Vijay Bharat Reddy said that legal action is being considered against the dating app in connection with the crime. He also clarified that the possibility of making personal details and identity documents mandatory for logging into the apps will be examined.

After establishing a relationship through the dating app, the child was taken to various places inside and outside the district and assaulted. The accused are from Kasaragod, Kannur and Kozhikode districts. The shocking details surfaced after the mother of the victim happened to see a stranger at her house with the child. Upon seeing her, the accused ran away. The mother later filed a complaint at Chandera police station, and the child was produced at the Child Line and questioned. The information about the abuse came to light.

The child has been a victim of abuse for two years. Currently, 14 cases have been registered. Of these, eight cases are in Kasaragod district alone. It is also reported that the accused paid money to the child after the abuse. The investigation into the case is being led by four inspectors.