Minor boy sexually abused by 15 people he met on dating app in Kerala: Police

Some accused are absconding, police said, adding that they include local IUML leader Vadakkumbattu Siraj (46).

Kasaragod district Superintendent of Police Vijay Bharath Reddy confirmed that the boy met the accused persons on a dating app.

“He had met people who were above 18 years of age. A person who joins the app has to give a self-declaration that he is above the age of 18. The boy has his own mobile phone with an internet connection and downloaded the app. There seems to be no parental control in his mobile use. He made the self-declaration that he is above the age of 18, and he has been exploited for the last two years,” said the SP.

The officer also said police have so far registered 14 cases, of which six have been transferred to other districts — Kannur and Kozhikode — for investigation. The eight other cases, which are being probed in Kasaragod, have a total of 10 accused persons.

According to police, the matter came to light after the boy’s mother noticed behavioural changes in him and started to suspect that something was amiss. She informed the state’s child protection helpline, after which he was given psychological counselling.