In what has come out as a shocking revelation, a girl, all of 11-years-old and who is hearing impaired, was allegedly raped by 22 men that took place for over seven months at her apartment complex in Chennai. The girl lives in a gated community and was reportedly frequently assaulted.

She told her story to her sister when she came down to Chennai from Delhi and complained of a stomach ache. Soon after she opened up, the family went on to lodge a complaint at an all-women police station in Ayanavaram. On Sunday, the girl’s parents took her to Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital for treatment where it was found out that several men raped her.

Reports revealed that the men would drug her with injections, spiked soft drinks and other substances, and would sometimes film themselves raping her. This was followed by blackmail, where they warned her that if she spoke about this, they would release the videos.

Speaking to The Times of India, an officer said that Ravi, a 66-year-old lift operator, would lead the child as soon as she alighted from her school van to the basement, public washrooms, the terrace and gym, where he and other men would rape her. It is believed that since most of the apartments were left vacant, it wasn’t that difficult for the men to sexually assault the 11-year-old girl.

While 18 men have been arrested pertaining to this case under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, it has come to light that most of these men who had allegedly raped her are the security guards, plumbers, and maintenance staff all from around and in the complex.