In a shocking incident that has sent ripples through the community, three men were arrested on Wednesday under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for allegedly gang-raping an eleventh-standard schoolgirl. The incident occurred when the girl went to graze goats in a farming area.
The victim was originally from Pudupalayam district but had been staying at her uncle’s house during the school holidays. During the holidays, she would graze goats near a lake. On one such occasion, she was approached by the suspects. While taking the goats to graze near the lake, the brothers, Ramajayam (33) and Pavankumar (31), sons of Dhananjayan from the Panaolaipadi area, were also grazing goats nearby. The two brothers allegedly approached the girl, gang-raped her, and threatened to kill her if she told anyone about the incident.
Further complicating the situation, a 57-year-old man named Selvaraj, who witnessed the attack, reportedly threatened the girl and engaged in additional sexual harassment.
Unable to cope with the situation, the victim confided in her grandmother and aunt. Following this, her family filed a complaint at the Chengam All Women Police Station. After investigating the claims, the police confirmed the assault and arrested Ramajayam, Pavankumar, and Selvaraj.
The three suspects were charged under the POCSO Act and jailed, sparking concern in the local community. The investigation is ongoing, and the incident has generated widespread attention in the area.
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