A 15-year-old girl was allegedly raped by three men after running away from home in Tamil Nadu, India. The teenager left her home in Tirunelveli on October 15 following an argument with her parents over an exam, according to police.
She travelled by train to Tiruchendur with her boyfriend and another boy. When her parents reported her missing to Thalaiyuthu police, the two boys learned from their parents that officers were looking for them. They then gave the girl some money and abandoned her in Tiruchendur.
Stranded Teenager Approached by Three Men
Left stranded, the girl was approached by three men from Madurai who offered to help her. The men, named by police as Karthik, Shanmugasundaram and Mani, took her to Kulasekarapattinam, where a Dasara festival was taking place.
Police alleged that Mani, 28, raped the girl before leaving the area with Shanmugasundaram, who also allegedly took part. Investigators said the men had travelled to the festival intending to commit theft.
Suspect Promised Marriage Before Rape
Karthik, 26, described as a divorcee, allegedly remained with the teenager and promised to marry her. Police said he took her to his home in Vadipatti on October 16, where he allegedly raped her.
The girl later managed to escape with the help of local people before making her way to the Mattuthavani bus station in Madurai.
Police Use CCTV and Facial Recognition
Meanwhile, police had been trying to track down the missing teenager and eventually traced her movements to Vadipatti. Officers used CCTV footage and facial recognition technology as part of the search for the girl and the three men.
She was found by Tirunelveli police at Mattuthavani on October 17, two days after she had first left home. The investigation has since led to arrests and court proceedings involving the three men.
