Assault on women in Kochi: Key suspect Akbar identified as sex racket kingpin, confirms Police

KOCHI: Investigators probing the brutal assault on a group of young women who objected to lewd gestures and catcalling have identified the prime suspect, Akbar, 35, as a major operative in an organised sex trafficking racket. Akbar, a native of Mannarkkad in Palakkad, also faces a separate Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) complaint.

According to law enforcement, he is the principal accused in a 2025 immoral trafficking case registered by the Kadavanthra police centred around a local lodge. Authorities are also investigating strong leads regarding his involvement in narcotics distribution. Akbar and six other accomplices currently remain at large.

Having initially arrived in Kochi in search of employment, Akbar first worked as a caretaker at a lodge in Kaloor. He eventually leased the entire second floor of a three-story lodge to run a commercial sex work racket, housing several women there. He reportedly paid a monthly rent of ₹100,000 for the four-room floor.

The three individuals already arrested, alongside three other missing youths, were employees at this establishment. Two women from Malappuram, identified as Akbar's associates, were also part of the operation. Although police teams conducted a raid at the lodge, they recovered minimal physical evidence.

Meanwhile, a local court has remanded the three arrested suspects—Albin from Edappal, Malappuram, along with Sabith and Arun from Mannarkkad, Palakkad—into judicial custody. Among them, Albin has a prior criminal record involving theft and narcotics offences.

The assault took place at approximately 4:30 AM on Tuesday near the Pavakkulam Temple at Kaloor. Investigators strongly suspect that Akbar was under the influence of drugs at the time of the attack.