The search for the accused in the Pathanamthitta rape case continues for the fifth day. 43 people have been arrested so far. 26 accused were arrested in eleven cases at Pathanamthitta police station and 14 in 16 cases in Elavumthitta. Most of the victims were raped by a group of youths camping at a private bus stand in Pathanamthitta. Cases have also been registered at Pandalam and Malayalappuzha police stations and investigations are on.
An investigation is on to find out whether the accused took the girl outside the district as well. A 25-member team of officials led by Pathanamthitta DySP S Nandakumar is investigating the case. The special investigation team was formed keeping in mind the utmost importance. The National Commission for Women had also sought a report from the police the other day. DIG Ajitha Begum is in charge of supervision.
It was found that many people had sent obscene visuals to the phone used by the girl, in which more people used the girl's nude footage to pressurise her and raped her. The communication between the girl and the accused was on the mobile phone of her father, who did not know the use of a smartphone. During the investigation, the police also found that nude visuals and phone number were circulated. It is learnt that the attack took place at a private bus stand in Pathanamthitta. The girl had told the police that she was gang-raped at pathanamthitta general hospital.
The list also includes those who helped the accused, the autorickshaw drivers who helped them in the rape and the minors who circulated the nude footage of the girl. The accused also include those who sent the nude footage to the mobile phone of the girl's father and circulated the visuals of the girl.
