PATHANAMTHITTA: A DYFI leader is one among the arrested in the case of sexually abusing a plus one student. The leader arrested is Perunad regional president Joel Thomas. He surrendered at the DySP office.

Three people were arrested in the case yesterday. KSEB employee Mohammad Rafi, Sajjad and a minor were arrested. The minor will be produced before the Juvenile Board. A case has been registered against 16 people for sexually abusing the student. A case was registered against three for circulating her nude pictures.

The youth, who befriended her through Instagram, got her nude pics and then send them to his friends. Those who got the pictures befriended the girl through Instagram, took her to many places and abused her.

The girl was subjected for counselling when she refused to go to school. The sexual abuse came to light then. The police registered a case and started an investigation based on the information from the Child Welfare Committee.