Pathanamthitta: Police have filed three more cases in connection with the gang rape of a Dalit girl in Pathanamthitta. Two of the cases were registered at the Elavumthitta police station on Saturday. Of the five persons arrested on Thursday, four are facing rape charges, while one is accused of kidnapping the victim in a car and sexually assaulting her.

Based on further information, three more cases were filed on Saturday morning at the Pathanamthitta police station. Following this, ten persons were taken into custody for questioning. The victim, an 18-year-old Dalit girl, is currently at the Pathanamthitta Women’s Police Station, where she was brought from the Mahila Mandiram to provide additional statements.

Authorities have indicated that if there are discrepancies between the victim's testimony and the suspects' responses, further evidence will be gathered. Arrests will only be made after this process. If the allegations are proven false, the suspects will be released. In the light of ongoing protests, additional police forces may be deployed around Pathanamthitta and near the police station where the suspects are being questioned.

The case was uncovered when the victim, a sportswoman, revealed that she had been sexually exploited by friends, coaches, and senior athletes since the age of 13. The issue came to light during a counseling session conducted by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) after the victim’s teachers reported behavioral changes in the teenager. The CWC subsequently handed over the case to the district police chief.

The survivor, who has stated she was abused starting at the age of 13, revealed that more than 60 persons had assaulted her over the past five years. Five people, including her boyfriend, were arrested on Friday.

The arrested are Subin (24), S. Sandeep (30), V.K. Vineeth (30), K. Anandu (21), and Sudhi (Sreeni - 24).