PATHANAMTHITTA: The police are treating the complaint of a girl being sexually abused by 64 people as a rare and exceptional case. A senior police officer will oversee the investigation, which will be carried out across various police stations under the leadership of their respective Station House Officers (SHOs). The Pathanamthitta Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) is in charge of coordinating the investigation.

According to the girl's statement, she was first abused by her friend at the age of 13. The friend had recorded the visuals and showed them to his friends. Later, these friends also sexually abused her. The girl, who is now 18 years old, revealed her experiences to the workers of the Mahila Samakhya project, which focuses on women's empowerment in rural areas. The project workers then conveyed the matter to the Child Welfare Committee. The girl and her mother appeared before the CWC.

The girl, an athlete, had stored the names of those who abused her on the phone of her father. Details of 32 individuals have been handed over to the police. The girl told the police that she knew the details of other individuals as well. The Ilavumthitta police have booked 40 people under the POCSO Act. A case was also registered at the Pathanamthitta police station. Police said that more people are likely to be implicated in the case.

The Ilavumthitta police have already arrested 5 individuals in the case. All five were arrested as per the POCSO Act. One more individual has been identified. He is currently serving a jail term in another case. In her complaint, the girl alleged that she had been sexually abused for five years. Trainers, athletes and classmates are among those who sexually abused her. The sexual abuse took place at various locations such as the school, house and public places. Police said that they are questioning the accused.