‘Went there seeing another woman, but she showed extreme sexual cruelty’: Kochi gang rape survivor

Kochi: In a critical breakthrough in the Kalamassery gang rape investigation, the 30-year-old survivor has formally identified all four accused – Sreeraj, Jith Martin, Saranya Sasi alias Ammu and V S Sanjay alias Sanju – and provided police with a detailed statement outlining the severe physical and psychological trauma she endured.

According to police sources, the victim stated that she initially agreed to meet the group believing she was safe in the presence of another woman. However, she revealed that Saranya was responsible for the most severe sexual cruelty during the ordeal.

The victim had been taken under the pretext of a job interview at an unlicensed spa operating in Kalamassery, before being taken to a lodge where she was forcibly administered alcohol and synthetic drugs mixed into ice cream.

Following information provided by the survivor's husband, police expanded the scope of their investigation to examine potential sex trafficking, drug supply chains and criminal gang connections. Officers noted that Saranya and Sanju had arrived at the Kalamassery spa approximately six months prior, and their financial and operational dealings are currently under scrutiny.

The arrest of Saranya (30) and Sanju was executed by a team led by Pulpally Police Station House Officer Sub-Inspector M C Pavanan, after locating the duo at a hotel in Pulpally of Wayanad. The first accused, Sreeraj (30), a native of Karthikappally in Alappuzha who ran the spa in Kunamthai, along with the third accused, Jith Martin (27) of Thevakkal, Kalamassery, were arrested earlier and have been remanded into police custody for further interrogation.

Police added that while Sanju did not directly commit rape, he physically restrained the victim when she attempted to escape.

Investigators confirmed that the unlicensed spa functioned as a front for an illegal trafficking network, and active inquiries are ongoing to trace the source of the contraband drugs used in the crime.