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The Kerala Police has arrested 57 out of 59 accused in the alleged sexual abuse and gang-rape of an 18-year-old Dalit girl in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district over the past five years, according to news agency PTI.

According to the report, the victim, who has been exploited since the age of 13, has named 62 people in her complaint.

Pathanamthitta district police chief VG Vinodkumar confirmed that the last man in custody, a 25-year-old man, was arrested from his house on Sunday morning. The remaining two accused could not be taken into custody as they are abroad.

Exploitation was discovered during counseling

The victim has accused 62 people of blackmailing and sexually abusing her for the past five years since she was 13. The abuse came to light when the girl's teachers noticed a change in her behaviour and informed the District Child Welfare Committee about it. During counselling, she revealed shocking details about the abuse she faced, following which a case was registered at the Elavumthitta police station on January 10.

The victim has been abused for the last 5 years

Based on the victim's statement, the police registered 30 cases in four police stations in the district. Investigation revealed that the victim was repeatedly assaulted and gang-raped on at least five occasions, including inside a car, at the Pathanamthitta General Hospital and other places.

Investigation revealed that the victim was confronted by several accused at a private bus stand in the district. According to the police, she was later taken to several places in vehicles where she was abused.

District police chief Kumar said that after a thorough investigation, all the accused have been arrested except two, who are currently abroad. The case is being handled by a special investigation team (SIT) led by woman IPS officer S Ajitha Begum under the supervision of Pathanamthitta district police chief VG Vinodkumar.