The Kerala police have arrested 17 men on charges of rape and molestation of a minor girl in Kerala's Malappuram district. 30 others have been registered under the POCSO Act of sexual abuse that had taken place over a span of four years.

The station house officer of Pandikkad police station, Mohammed Haneefa while speaking to IANS, said: "There are a total of 30 cases under Pandikkad, Karuvarakkundu and Vandoor stations in Malappuram district on sexual abuse and assault of the minor girl".

The rape victim who is 17 years old now was abused 4 years ago. She was lodged at Nirbhaya home in 2016. However, a year later she was again subjected to sexual abuse in 2017 during her stay with relatives. The victim is currently in the protection of the child welfare committee since 2016.