The Kerala Police on Sunday booked eight persons at Areakode in the
Malappuram district on charges of gang rape of a 35-year-old woman
with mental disabilities. The incident came to light when the survivor
attempted suicide and revealed the ordeal to her brother when
subsequently questioned.

The abuse reportedly began in 2023 when the main accused, a
36-year-old distant relative, allegedly lured the survivor with
promises of a tour. He took her to multiple locations across Manjeri,
Areekode, and Wayanad, where she was repeatedly assaulted by him,
other distant relatives and the woman’s neighbours.

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The suspects allegedly used threats and deceit to coerce the survivor
into sexual acts. The accused also stole 15 sovereigns of gold
jewellery from the survivor and allegedly attempted to intimidate the
family into withdrawing their complaint. However, the family has
resolved to proceed with legal action despite the pressure. The
Areakode Police have registered three FIRs in connection with the
case. A special investigation team led by Kondotty Deputy
Superintendent of Police will investigate the case.

According to the FIRs, the abuse occurred at multiple locations in
Malappuram and Wayanad. The first incident took place in February 2023
when the primary accused and another individual took the woman on a
trip to Manjeri, Malappuram. She was then taken to a lodge in
Areacode, where she was assaulted.Two months later, the woman was
taken to another lodge in Mananthavady, Wayanad, and abused.
Subsequently, the primary accused allegedly handed her over to other
individuals at a lodge in Valluvambram, Malappuram, leading to further
exploitation.

This is the second instance of shocking sexual assault to come out of
Kerala in the last few days. Earlier on Friday,a deeply disturbing
incident of an 18-year-old Dalit girl being subjected to sexual
assault by more than 60 people over the past five years in Kerala’s
Pathanamthitta came to light.