THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Anchuthengu police on Thursday reportedly detained four persons on the charge of gangraping a minor girl on multiple cases a year ago.

The suspects were identified by the police as Sainulabdeen, 59, Kabeer, 33, Navab, 25, and Sameer, all of Vennicode; and Kabeer, 57, of Anjuthengu. For sexually harassing the survivor during the COVID-19 lockdown last year, they have been arrested.

The perpetrators, who are all fish workers, lived in the same locality as the victim. When the school administration became aware of the child's behaviour changes after the reopening of the schools, she revealed her ordeal. The Child Welfare Committee was then informed. Women police officers recorded her statement. The suspects are now being held in judicial custody.

Between 2020 and 2022, the men repeatedly sexually assaulted the girl inside the home, in remote areas of the beach, and in a neighbouring abandoned house. She was sexually assaulted more frequently when Covid was under lockdown.

Crime Data as per the NCRB: As per the National Crime Records Bureau Rajasthan reports most rape cases. Rajasthan has reported the highest number of rape cases in 2020 and 2021/22.  The state is followed by Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Assam. It also tops in cases of violence against women in the last three years. The data suggests Rajasthan reported 6,337 in 2021 and 5,310 cases in 2020. MP reported 2,339 and 2,947 cases in 2020 and 2021 respectively.

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