Kerala: 3 migrant workers arrested over gang-rape of 14-year-old

The Kerala Police arrested three migrant workers over the gang-rape of a 14-year-old girl at Manjummel in Ernakulam district in March, officials announced on Monday.

The arrested persons were Uttar Pradesh natives Shahid, Farhad Khan and Haneefa. Three other accused have fled the state.

The accused migrant workers lived near the victim’s house. The first instance of assault was in March after the COVID-19 lockdown was imposed. The culprits sexually assaulted the girl at her house while her family was out.

She was then threatened and taken to various other places, including the worker’s residence. The minor girl was also assaulted at Edapally on July 30 and Kunumpuram in August.

The Eloor police registered a case after the girl’s family filed a complaint.

The probe was led by the assistant police commissioner, and the Uttar Pradesh natives were arrested. The police have intensified the search for the absconding accused.