Malappuram: Areacode police on Sunday booked eight individuals on charges of gang rape of a 36-year-old woman with mental disabilities. The accused includes the survivor's neighbours and distant relatives.  

According to the FIRs, the abuse occurred at multiple locations in Malappuram and Wayanad. The first incident took place in February 2023 when the primary accused and another individual took the woman on a trip to Manjeri, Malappuram. She was then taken to a lodge in Areacode, where she was assaulted.  

Two months later, the woman was taken to another lodge in Mananthavady, Wayanad, and abused. Subsequently, the primary accused allegedly handed her over to another individual at a lodge in Valluvambram, Malappuram, leading to further exploitation.  

According to the complaint filed by her brother, the perpetrators also stole 15 sovereigns of gold jewellery from the woman. The victim’s family alleges that the accused targeted her, knowing her mental vulnerabilities and exploiting her inability to resist or report the abuse.  

Kondotty DySP KC Sethu is leading the probe into the complaint. "The survivor’s initial testimony has already been recorded," Sethu told Onmanorama.

The woman, currently at a Kozhikode centre, is receiving treatment for mental health challenges. Her family, suspecting the involvement of more individuals, has resolved to pursue legal action despite repeated pressures from the accused to withdraw the complaint.