In a deeply disturbing incident, five individuals, including two minors, have been arrested for the alleged gang-rape of a 16-year-old girl near Peravurani in Thanjavur district. The accused were produced before a court and subsequently remanded to judicial custody, as reported in Vikatan.
According to police sources, the survivor, a resident of a village near Peravurani, had attended a temple festival in her grandmother’s village on August 30. During the festivities, she encountered Santhosh (24), a native of Manamelkudi in Pudukkottai district, whom she already knew. Santhosh allegedly lured the girl with promises of marriage, took her to a secluded spot, and the two were seen together in isolation.
However, four other youths, identified as Aravindh (20) of Adaikadevan, Arumugam (18) of Solaikadu, and two minors aged 17 and 15, noticed the pair and followed them to the location. Police reports indicate that the four then chased Santhosh away and proceeded to sexually assault the minor girl.
The survivor returned home later that day in a visibly distressed state. When her mother inquired about her condition, the girl initially refused to disclose what had happened. However, word of the assault began to circulate among villagers, and concerned residents alerted the Sethubavachathiram police.
Following a preliminary inquiry, the police apprehended all five accused and questioned them. Based on a formal complaint lodged by the victim’s mother, authorities registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, in addition to relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for gang-rape. All five accused were produced before the magistrate court and have been remanded to prison.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community.
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