COIMBATORE: Three persons were booked under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for sexually assaulting a 17-year old girl in Erode.

Since her childhood, the victim from Gobichettipalayam has been in the care of her father, who is an alcoholic. Police said while going to work, he used to lock the girl inside the house.

He was also in the habit of coming home with his friends, all under the influence of alcohol. Police said the man’s three friends including a Public Works Department (PWD) staff had sexually harassed the girl.

As her father failed to mend his ways despite informing him several times on the sexual harassment, the girl broke into a quarrel with him over this issue a few days ago.

She then left the house to stay with her relative.

As she suddenly developed some illness, the girl was taken to Gobichettipalayam Government Hospital, where she was examined by doctors and the sexual assault came to light.

Based on a complaint, the All Women’s Police Station (AWPS) police registered a case against three persons and as well the girl's father for abetting the crime. Further inquiries are underway.