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Sex scandal: doubts about probe conduct

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI AUG. 9 . The handing over of the investigation into the Mattancherry sex scandal case to a new team has given rise to doubts about the conduct of the inquiry, the State president of Kerala Mahila Sanghom, Meenakshi Thampan, has said.

Addressing presspersons here on Thursday, she said the investigation was going on well and several key accused were arrested within a few days of the raid, but no arrests were made thereafter.

``It is suspected that priests, film personalities and people's representatives have exploited the girl sexually, but none of them have been arrested till date. Many have managed to escape the police dragnet,'' she alleged.

She alleged that moves were afoot to make the victim change her statement and even the FIR. ``More women's organisations will join the agitation, demanding that the culprits be brought to book. The SUCI and Streevedi may also support the agitation. It is going to be a combined fight for justice,'' she said.

Meanwhile, a senior police officer said that there was no reason to believe that the girl was above 16 years when several people exploited her, at various places in the State.

Even if she has crossed that age by any estimate, the case against the accused would stand, since they shot and sold blue films, using her.

Though Sibily, prime accused in the case, had reportedly promised to marry her, he acted in the blue film along with her and sold the girl to many people. Various provisions of the Indian Penal Code could be invoked against him and the other accused on these charges and the case would stand, he said.

Meanwhile, women's organisations took out a protest march to the Ernakulam Boat Jetty today afternoon, demanding that the investigation be speeded up and the culprits arrested.

An evening dharna was organised today at Thopumpady Junction, jointly by the Yuvajanavedi and Janadhipathya Vanitha Sangathana, demanding arrest of all the culprits. Speakers deplored moves to sabotage the probe.

They said that steps should be taken to streamline the probe into the issue.

The All-India Mahila Samskarika Sanghatana demanded that all the culprits who exploited the minor girl be brought to book.

Many politicians and influential people who exploited girls in the Suryanelli, Vithura and Kozhikode sex scandals were yet to be brought to book. This should not happen in this case, M. K. Usha of the Sangathana, said in a release here.

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