Kochi: The Ernakulam Central police have apprehended two individuals for attempting to rape a woman after threatening her male companion with a knife inside an abandoned building near the Ernakulam South railway station. The suspects have been identified as Rahul, 39, a resident of Chathannoor in Kollam, and Danish, 28, from Edava in Thiruvananthapuram.
Details of the Incident
The assault took place on Tuesday evening at a deserted building close to the Ernakulam South railway station. Around 9 pm, a young man and woman, who were friends, sought shelter in the building to escape the rain. As the downpour intensified, they moved to the upper floor, unaware that the accused were already present inside, consuming alcohol, according to police reports.
The friends did not notice the accused sitting there. The accused followed them upstairs, assaulted the male friend, threatened him with a knife, and attempted to rape the woman. However, the woman managed to bite one of the attackers and escape along with her friend. They immediately alerted the police control room. Police arrived promptly, but the accused had already fled the scene.
Investigation and Arrest
Initially, the woman was hesitant to file a complaint due to severe mental distress. However, Ernakulam Central Assistant Police Commissioner Premananda Krishna took the initiative to provide counseling, leading her to file a complaint at the police station the following day. A case was registered at the Central police station, and a special investigation team led by Inspector Jijo was formed to probe the matter.
Sources revealed that the lack of evidence posed a significant challenge, as there were no CCTV cameras in the building where the crime occurred. Crucial information was obtained from a motorcycle used by one of the accused, which led the police to them. The accused had been staying in abandoned houses to avoid detection. Both individuals have over ten previous criminal cases against them.
During the arrest, the main accused, Danish, attempted to escape by jumping into a canal after attacking the police. He was later captured. The investigation team included Sub-Inspectors Harikrishnan, Ramlal, Shaji, and Subodh; Assistant Sub Inspector Molly; SCPO Rajeev; and CPOs Unnikrishnan, Harish, and Vijesh. The accused were presented in court and remanded to judicial custody.
