Kerala police have so far arrested nine persons for allegedly sexually abusing a 16-year-old teenager from Kasargod over the past few years. Police suspect there could be many more accused involved as they lured the teenager through Grindr, a dating app for the LGBTQ community.
According to Kasargod police, the accused include an education department official, a police officer, and a noted politician from a party in opposition in Kerala. So far, 15 cases have been registered, and 9 of them are in Kasargod.
Kasargod Police Inspector Prasanth K told OnManorama, "He was abused over the past two years, beginning when he was 14. Kasaragod district police chief B.V. Vijaya Bharat Reddy said the boy was abused in Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, and Ernakulam districts, and cases have been registered in the respective police stations.
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Police have formed a special team to probe the case, and a lookout notice has been issued for the politician who went into hiding after the case came to light. According to the publication, a case has been registered under Section 377 of the IPC and Sections 3, 4, 5 and 6 under the Protection of Children against Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for penetrative sexual assault.
The case came to light after the victim's mother noticed strangers visiting him and unusual interactions. The victim's mother immediately alerted Childline, and during a counselling session, the victim revealed the abuse. Reddy said police took up the case soon after they were alerted by Childline.
Grindr has reportedly suspended his account after finding out he was a teenager. According to police, the accused used to pay money to the victim, though he never asked for it.
