'Saranya subjected me to brutal sexual assault'; Victim identifies accused in Kalamassery gangrape case

KOCHI: It is suspected that the wife and sister of the prime accused—Sreeraj, a native of Karthikappally, Alappuzha—visited the victim of gang rape in Kalamassery in an attempt to influence her. Consequently, the police began investigating the identities of those who visited the hospital. It is doubtful whether they are real relatives of the accused or not. The victim stated that, following the incident, the accused had made significant offers, including money and promises of future protection.

The accused even boasted of having influential connections and asked the victim not to worry about the future. Rejecting this, the housewife threatened to commit suicide by breaking a beer bottle and holding it against her neck. The investigating officer, the Thrikkakara Assistant Commissioner of Police, recorded the housewife's statement, who is currently undergoing treatment at the Medical College.

Meanwhile, the victim identified the accused. Although she named two other individuals, the police confirmed they had no connection to the case; it was found that they had visited the lodge for a different purpose on the day of the incident. The identified accused are Sreeraj, Jith Martin, Saranya, and Sanju. Investigations are underway regarding the source of the narcotics and the accused's high-level connections. Sreeraj is in charge of supervising the spa and plays a key role in recruiting women for activities, including illicit sexual acts. Authorities are also examining whether there are other victims.

Doubts remain regarding Saranya's entry into the gang. Police suspect that the accused used the same heinous tricks and trapped her. Saranya initially told police that she was unmarried; however, an investigation found that she had a husband and a child. The victim stated that it was Saranya who subjected her to brutal sexual assault. Meanwhile, the police took Sreeraj and Jith Martin—a native of Thevakkal, Thrikkakara—to the lodge in Vattekkunnam (where the incident occurred) and the 'Delight Spa' in Koonamthai to gather evidence. Although the police have not yet obtained the CCTV footage from the lodge, the hard disk is in their custody.