The prime accused in the case of rape of a minor girl from Vithura surrendered before the Ernakulam Judicial First Class Magistrate Court here on Tuesday, 18 years after the probe began.
Suresh, 47, of Chadayamangalam in Kollam, is the first accused in 23 cases relating to the rape and sale of the minor girl for sex work. He has been absconding since 1996 and allegedly staying in Mumbai and other parts of the country. The court remanded him in judicial custody. Cases have been registered against Suresh for keeping the girl under illegal custody for 10 days, buying and selling her for sex work, rape, and immoral trafficking. Some of the other accused, including Kurian Sam, Preethi Kurian, and at least three others are still missing.
The girl was lured to Kochi by a neighbour in 1995 with the promise of giving her a job as a maid.
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