Kathmandu— A retrial began this week in Manchester for six men accused of being part of a large-scale grooming gang that targeted vulnerable white British girls in Rochdale between the 1980s and 2010. The suspects face numerous charges including rape, sexual assault, and penetration, stemming from alleged offenses against two victims as young as thirteen years old. This case is particularly sensitive due to previous failed trials, allegations of institutional reluctance to investigate these crimes fully, and concerns about racial dynamics influencing the response. Greater Manchester Police launched Operation Lytton in 2015 to revisit overlooked cases, leading to 32 convictions so far.

Details of the Alleged Crimes

The six defendants – Tahrir Rashid, Mohammed Saleem, Sucklane Shah, Itfaq Hussain, Arshad Mohammed, and Amjad Mahmood – are collectively charged with 46 counts of serious sexual offenses. Prosecutors allege that the girls were “passed around” between members of the gang, subjected to repeated abuse over several years. Tahrir Rashid is accused of being the ringleader and also faces charges relating to a rape committed in the 1980s. One victim, known as ‘Girl C’, was allegedly collected from school by Rashid, given alcohol, and then repeatedly raped by multiple members of the gang. Another victim, ‘Girl A,’ was reportedly lured with false promises of modeling work before being sexually assaulted.

First Trial Collapse and Jury Misconduct

The initial trial of these six men concluded in December without a verdict after serious misconduct came to light. It was revealed that jurors had created a WhatsApp group to discuss the case, sharing documentaries about grooming gangs – a clear violation of court rules. The judge determined that no corrective action could be taken and halted proceedings. This incident has fueled criticism of the handling of these sensitive cases and raised questions about potential bias.

Allegations of Institutional Failures

An independent review published in 2024 found that authorities were warned about grooming gang activity in Rochdale as early as 2007, but failed to investigate fully until 2012 due to fears of being accused of racism. Similar concerns were raised in a 2014 report on grooming gangs in Rotherham, which detailed how officials ignored reports of widespread abuse involving over 1,400 children, again citing fear of appearing racist. A nationwide audit this year confirmed that authorities in numerous towns and cities have been hesitant to investigate these crimes due to the predominantly Pakistani origin of the perpetrators. One report even estimated a minimum of 250,000 rapes committed by grooming gangs since 2000.

Political Scrutiny and Ongoing Inquiries

The issue has become increasingly politicized, with accusations leveled against prominent politicians. London Mayor Sadiq Khan was accused of denying the existence of grooming gangs in London despite evidence to the contrary, while former Director of Public Prosecutions Keir Starmer faced criticism for allegedly letting 13,000 pedophiles off with warning letters. Starmer’s Labour Party initially voted against a national statutory inquiry into the issue but later reversed course and launched its own probe.

Expanding Investigations and Future Trials

The current trial is part of Greater Manchester Police's ongoing ‘Operation Lytton,’ which aims to bring to justice those previously overlooked. To date, the operation has secured 32 convictions for a total of 474 years in prison. Fourteen additional suspects are currently awaiting trial as part of this initiative. Similar large-scale grooming gang trials have also resulted in convictions elsewhere in the UK, including Bradford and South Wales.

The retrial is expected to last several weeks, with prosecutors presenting evidence gathered through Operation Lytton. The outcome will likely fuel further debate about how authorities respond to these complex and sensitive cases.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.