Accused who kidnapped and sexually assaulted girl in Kanhanngad remanded

PADANNAKKAD: The Hosdurg First Class Magistrate Court has remanded Kodagu native PA Saleem (35), who abducted a ten-year-old girl sleeping at home, sexually assaulted her and robbed her of gold earrings. Saleem was nabbed by a Special Investigation Team from Kurnoor in Andhra Pradesh on Friday. He was brought to the Kanhangad police station by Friday night.

The incident took place at around 3.30 am on May 15. After abducting the girl from her house in the coastal area of Padannakkad, the accused took her to a nearby field and sexually assaulted her. He then abandoned her at the field after taking her gold earrings. The accused was arrested on the ninth day of the incident.

Yesterday morning, the police brought the accused to the spot of the incident at Ozhinjavalappu to collect evidence. A scuffle broke out between the police and the locals after some of the locals attempted to manhandle the accused.

Kasaragod district police chief P Bijoy told the media that the suspect was scientifically identified after examining the CCTV footage, mobile phone calls and the list of those involved in similar crimes. The investigation team was formed under the leadership of North Zone DIG Thomson Jose, Kasaragod District Police Chief P. Bijoy and three DySPs.