After police officer, TV reporter among 16 held for raping 13-yr-old

CHENNAI: Washermenpet all-women police on Monday arrested a television reporter in connection with the rape of a 13-year-old girl in the city. He is the 16th accused to be arrested in the case including the girl’s six relatives, a police inspector, a political party functionary, a few brokers and other men who raped her.

The latest accused Vinoba G (39) of Vinoba Nagar in Tondiarpet is a reporter of a private TV channel and is also into financing, said police. “Vinoba lends money to the main accused Madhan and his sister Sandhya

for interest and is very close to them. It is through that link that he exploited the 13-year-old girl thrice in two months. “Whenever Vinoba visits Madhan, he preyed on the girl. The victim knows him very well,” said an official.

The 13-year-old girl from Perumbakkam was sent by her mother to her niece Shahitha’s house in Vyasarpadi where she was first

Whenever Vinoba visits Madhan (the main accused), he preyed on the girl. The victim knows him well

— A police officer

raped by Shahitha Banu’s second husband Madhan before being pushed into flesh trade. Madhan, Shahitha Banu and his mother have also been arrested in the case. They together sent the minor girl with brokers, for a weekly package of Rs 1.5 lakh, who in turn invited their regular customers to exploit the girl. Police said a few more men will also be arrested in the case.