In 18 months, a school girl was allegedly abused by some 200 people. In 18 months, a school girl was allegedly abused by some 200 people.

SURYANELLI, 1996

A Class X student from Suryanelli in Idukki was harassed and sexually assaulted, first by a bus conductor and later by several others, for 40 days, during which she was taken to several places. The 42 accused included powerful people. A trial court awarded jail terms to 35 of them, but all except one were acquitted by the High Court in 2005. The prosecution appealed to the Supreme Court, which asked the High Court to look afresh at the case. Subsequently, 24 persons were convicted, 16 of whom appealed last year. The SC has issued notices to the Kerala government. The petitions are pending.

KOTHAMANGALAM, 1997

A minor girl from Kothamangalam in Ernakulam district was abused by around 100 people for over a year before being dumped at her home. Police identified 40 accused, but only 7 have been arrested. The victim named Congress and Muslim League leaders, but the probe reached nowhere, allegedly due to political pressure. She told police that a youth in her neighbourhood had handed her over to a businessman, who presented her to his friends. She ultimately fell into the hands of a woman pimp, who made her a part of an organised sex racket, where she was traded for several months.

VARAPUZHA, 2011

In August 2011, police in Varapuzha, Ernakulam, busted a sex racket allegedly run by Shoba John, who was also accused of extortion. A minor girl alleged her parents had sold her to John for Rs 1 lakh, after which she was exploited by some 200 persons at several places in and outside Kerala. John and some others also allegedly tortured her physically after she refused to entertain customers. Police registered 26 cases and arraigned 80 persons, of whom 72 were arrested. Chargesheets were filed in nine cases. However, the High Court stayed the trial last year following a petition by John.

PARAVUR, 2011

In 2009, a schoolgirl of Paravur in Ernakulam was allegedly raped by her father who then presented her to people in the film industry. He subsequently took her to agents who allegedly presented her to local politicians, retired professionals, bureaucrats and film professionals. In 18 months, she was allegedly abused by some 200 people. Police have so far identified 130 accused and registered 52 cases. A trial court has convicted some of them. Trials and the probe continue.

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