KANNUR: Four men, including a Sunday class teacher, who sexually abused a minor girl at Payyavur were arrested on Thursday. The girl, who is now 16 years old, was first raped at the age of 12 when she was studying in class 7 and later when she was in class 9, said the investigating officer. The accused were identified as Kizhakkedath Jose Scaria alias Josootty, 28, Kadalikkattu Binoy, 40, Poovattarakath Asees, 32, and Menacheri Shinto, 30.
The men will be produced before Thalassery session’s court on Friday. The girl, who is currently staying in a convent, showed signs of depression and during counselling revealed the atrocities by the people, including her neighbours and the Sunday school teacher. The girl was first abused by Kizhakkedath Jose by luring her into his house, said SI Sivan Chodath. The girl had been staying with her father and paternal grandparents while her mother was working in a convent.
Kadalikkattu Binoy, a Sunday class (Veda padam) teacher, abused her while he put make-up on the child during an arts festival. He, as well as Poovattarakath Asees, a merchant from Kanjirakkolli, and Menacheri Shinto, Kanjirakkolli, abused her while she was in class nine. Police suspect that the girl’s father had some connection with the accused and that they had free access to the house. However, the girl did not make any statement against him.
