Kochi Police Intensify Crackdown on Habitual Offenders and Sexual Crimes
In a robust move to enhance public safety, the Hill Palace police in Kochi detained two individuals under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act, commonly known as Kaapa, on Tuesday. This action is part of a broader initiative to target repeat offenders and maintain law and order in the city.
Detentions Under Kaapa Act
The arrests were executed based on preventive detention orders issued by the district collector under Section 3(2)(i) of the Kaapa Act. The first accused, identified as Sarathkumar, aged 33 and a resident of AKG Nagar in Irumpanam, has a history of involvement in multiple criminal cases. These include serious charges such as theft, attempt to murder, and assault, with cases registered across various police stations in Kochi city.
A police team, led by Hill Palace police inspector Rajesh T G, took Sarathkumar into custody following the detention order. He was subsequently lodged at the Central Prison in Viyyur, Thrissur, as part of the legal process.
In a parallel operation, police also detained Hareesh, aged 34, who currently resides at Malayil Parambil house near Thiruvankulam. Similar to Sarathkumar, Hareesh is an accused in several criminal cases, including theft, attempted murder, and assault, spanning different locations across Kochi city.
These detentions underscore the intensified efforts by Kochi city police to curb the activities of habitual offenders. Police commissioner Kairaj Mahesh Kumar IPS emphasized that strict action will continue against those engaged in anti-social activities, reinforcing the commitment to public safety.
Arrest in Sexual Assault Case
In a separate but equally significant development, a 38-year-old man was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting two minor girls in Perumbavoor. The accused, Abdul Razak, a native of Mogral in Kasaragod and currently residing in Perumbavoor, was taken into custody by a special investigation team of the Ernakulam rural police, led by inspector Anil Kumar L.
According to police sources, the incidents are believed to have occurred in March. The victims are daughters of a migrant couple from Odisha living in a nearby settlement. Abdul Razak, who works as a head-load worker and takes up daily wage jobs, is suspected of sexually exploiting the minors.
Police have booked him under multiple legal provisions, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, the Information Technology Act for violation of privacy, and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation is underway to determine if he was involved in similar offences elsewhere, highlighting the thorough approach of law enforcement in addressing such grave crimes.
These actions reflect a comprehensive strategy by Kochi police to tackle both habitual criminal behavior and severe offences like sexual assault, aiming to create a safer environment for all residents.
