Chennai rape: 17 accused filmed each other raping the child

Chennai police on Tuesday arrested 17 men including security guards, electricians and plumbers who allegedly raped an 11-year-old hearing impaired girl in an apartment block over the past seven months.

Raped for seven months in Chennai, an 11-year-old hearing-impaired girl also had to endure blackmail by her rapists who allegedly took her nude photographs and filmed one another violating her in different places in the apartment block.

Police said the Chennai girl was first sexually assaulted by a 66-year-old lift operator after she returned from school and was cycling around the complex and later several others joined in the assault.(AP File Photo)

Among the 17 arrested were the security guards, plumber and elevator operator, police said. Police said that the mobile phones of all those arrested are being examined.

Police say a total of 24 men will be charged with rape. It is not known whether the other seven suspects who are at large also filmed the assault on the girl.

The 66-year-old lift operator was the first to attack the girl after she returned from school and was cycling around the complex, police said. He was also the first to be arrested.

Video: Rape accused thrashed by lawyers in a court in Chennai

On Tuesday, a women’s court sent the 17 accused to judicial custody till July 31.