Police in Kerala have arrested nine people, including two government employees, for allegedly sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy after befriending him through a mobile app for the LGBTQ community. The assaults reportedly took place over two years at the boy’s home and other locations in Kannur and Kozhikode districts.

According to a senior police officer, the case came to light when the boy’s mother spotted a man at their home who ran away upon seeing her. On questioning her son, he revealed the abuse, which she reported to the Childline, who then informed the police.

Based on the boy’s statement, police registered 14 separate cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, over the past two days.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising a Deputy Superintendent of Police and four Inspectors has been formed to probe eight cases in Kasaragod district. The remaining six cases have been transferred to Kozhikode and Kannur districts, where the assaults allegedly occurred.

The 14 accused are aged between 25 and 51 years, and include a Railways employee. Police said investigations are ongoing, and further action will be taken based on the SIT findings.