New charges filed in Kayamkulam sexual assault case as Police record victim's statement

ALAPPUZHA: The police will bring additional charges against the businessman and his friend for sexually assaulting a woman following a midnight car accident. These new charges involve witness intimidation and offering money. Recognising the victim's travel difficulties, a police team led by Kayamkulam DySP Binukumar travelled to Thiruvananthapuram today to record her detailed statement.

The recording process began at 12:00 PM and concluded at 4:30 PM. Although the Kayamkulam police previously registered a sexual assault case and recorded a statement under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), they faced significant criticism for issuing a conditional notice to the accused, Sinil Savad, and releasing him. This failure to arrest Savad, record a confidential statement, or conduct a medical examination sparked widespread protests and controversy. DySP Binukumar stated that senior officials and legal experts will now be consulted to determine which additional charges apply based on today’s testimony.

Significant information omitted from the initial report was added during today's session. The 25-year-old victim informed investigators that Sinil Savad approached her at the hospital, threatening her to secure a discharge and return home without filing a formal complaint. She further detailed a pattern of threats made by Savad and his friend starting from the accident scene until she left Kayamkulam. Additionally, the woman revealed that Savad's friend offered her friend Rs 25 lakh to withdraw the case while she was at the police station. Consequently, this friend will be named a co-accused, and police are currently working to identify him through CCTV footage.

The victim is expected to travel to Alappuzha shortly to undergo a medical examination and meet with the District Police Chief. Investigators also plan to collect statements from the friend who accompanied her on the night of the incident, the attending physician, and hospital staff. Furthermore, the Alappuzha CJM court has directed the Mavelikkara Magistrate to record the woman's confidential statement. In a related development, the Human Rights Commission has intervened, registering its own case and ordering the District Police Chief to submit a comprehensive report within 15 days.