KOCHI: The Kerala high court on Monday said that sex with young girls had become the "luxury" of the rich and rejected the bail pleas of eight accused in a case relating to the rape of a minor girl allegedly by 100-odd men over a period of time.

"Sex with young girls had become the luxury of the rich and the hunt for virgins had gained momentum. This may be because of fear of AIDS," Justice K T Shankaran observed.

He dismissed the bail applications of eight accused, including CPM local leader Thomas Varghese, in the case relating to the rape of the 14-year old girl of Paravoor in Ernaulam district.

So far over 60 people, including the girl's father, have been arrested in the case.

In her complaint to the police in June, the girl had said her father, who used to do small roles in Malayalam films, was the first to rape her. He then took her to various places and 'offered' her to at least 100 men.

