The Thiruvananthapuram City Police have arrested three persons, including a minor boy, for allegedly gang-raping a minor girl in Mannanthala.

According to the police, the incident had taken place in January when the survivor, a Class 9 student, was befriended by one of the accused on Instagram. The suspect allegedly feigned love for the minor girl and lured her to Mannanthala under false pretences.

He then allegedly took her to a house where the two other accomplices were present, and the group proceeded to sexually assault her.

The survivor kept the harrowing incident a secret for months due to fear. The crime only came to light two days ago when the girl showed signs of depression at school and finally disclosed the trauma to teachers and counsellors during a counselling session. Soon, the family and school authorities lodged a formal complaint with the Mannanthala police.

The police, which subsequently registered a case, apprehended the suspects on Thursday. Two of the accused persons have been identified as Adil and Jarib, 19, of Mannanthala. They have been remanded in judicial custody.

The third suspect in the case is a minor, and legal procedures regarding the juvenile are underway, an official said. The police also stated that further investigation is underway to determine whether the girl faced any harassment or threats after the sexual assault.