KOZHIKODE: Kozhikode rural police on Wednesday arrested four persons for allegedly gang-raping a 17-year-old girl after taking her to the Janakikad ecotourism center near Maruthonkara. The incident had taken place on October 3.
The arrested accused are Thekkeparambath Sayooj, 24, from Moyilothara; Shibu, 32, of Parachalil (H) from Adukkath; Rahul Thaminjal, 22, from Moyilothara; and Akshay Paloli, 22, from Kayakkodi. Nadapuram ASP Nidhin Raj arrested them after the police registered a case on a complaint filed by the girl’s parents.
Police said that according to the girl’s statement, she had acquaintance with Sayooj. He had invited her to the ecotourism centre at Janakikkad on October 3, where he allegedly raped her at the forested location. Later the other three accused, who were friends of Sayooj, also raped her.
Police said that the girl said in her statement that she was given a juice suspected to be spiked with some intoxicant, following which she lost consciousness before the assault. Police added that scientific investigation would be carried out about that as well.
The accused took her in a vehicle after the assault and dropped her near her house. They threatened that she would have to face dire consequences if she told anyone about the incident.
Later, she revealed the incident to her parents, following which they lodged a complaint with the police.
ASP Nithin Raj said that the accused have been book under IPC sections 376 D (gang rape), Pocso sections and also under SC/ ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act as the rape survivor belongs to the SC community.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)
