Kochi: Kerala Police have arrested nine people, including a politician, two government employees and a football coach, for allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy repeatedly.
The accused allegedly befriended the teenager through a gay dating app.
The politician’s identity hasn’t been disclosed yet.
Kasargod police chief Vijaya Bharat Reddy said the Class X student, who downloaded the app about two years ago, was repeatedly assaulted by 14 men in Kasargod, Kannur, Kozhikode and Ernakulam.
“The assaults allegedly took place at the boy’s home and in various locations across the other districts. The case came to light after the boy’s mother grew suspicious when she saw a man fleeing their home upon her arrival. When she questioned her son, he revealed what had been happening. The mother immediately contacted a child helpline, which then alerted the police,” Reddy told NDTV.
Based on the minor’s statement, police registered 14 cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, against 16 individuals.
According to police, the suspects are aged between 25 and 51, with one of the accused being a railway employee.
A special investigation team (SIT), led by a deputy superintendent of police and four inspectors, has been formed to probe eight of the cases which were registered in Kasaragod district. The other six cases have been transferred to Kozhikode and Kannur districts.
Police are also studying the app to check if there were any regulatory lapses that facilitated the sexual exploitation of a minor.