Moral policing, verbal abuse and attack; Thiruvananthapuram Police arrests 2 over beach episode

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: Valiyathura police have registered a case against two individuals allegedly involved in moral policing, attacking a woman student and assaulting her male friend at Shankumugham beach in Thiruvananthapuram.

The victims are Athitosh (21) and Pallavi (21), first-year BAMS students at Government Ayurveda College.

The incident took place around 5 am on Monday near Shankumugham beach, close to the Kannanthura coast.

On Sunday at around 8.30 pm, a young woman who had arrived from Bihar landed at Thiruvananthapuram airport and proceeded directly to Shankumugham beach. A male student later joined her. Due to ongoing coastal construction work, a portion of the beach had been fenced off. The two were resting on the sandy stretch near the Shankumugham palace area.

Alleged intimidation, assault and interference

At this point, the accused arrived and confronted the students, allegedly carrying out moral policing. They intimidated the pair and snatched the woman’s bag, opening it and inspecting its contents before leaving the spot.

When the woman questioned the return of her bag, she was allegedly pulled by her hair and verbally abused. The accused also attempted to remove her trousers. The male student, who tried to intervene, was beaten by both men.

Following the confrontation, both students ran from the location and contacted the police control room seeking assistance.

Arrests and police proceedings

Police teams on patrol in the Shankumugham area, led by sub-inspectors, reached the scene and apprehended the accused.

The arrested have been identified as Raees (31) and Hasan (26), residents of Beemapally.

Valiyathura police registered a case against them for insulting the dignity of a woman and assaulting the male student.

The accused were produced before the court and remanded to custody.