Torture details emerge in Pathanamthitta: Victims subjected to extreme violence in honey trap case

Pathanamthitta: Shocking details have emerged in the case of youth allegedly lured into a honey trap and tortured, with police calling the assault among the most brutal the state has seen.

One victim told investigators he was tied up, beaten and had a needle pushed under his fingernail to inflict pain. Police have arrested Jayesh and his wife, Reshmi, both natives of Charalkunnu. According to the complaint, Reshmi filmed the assault on her mobile phone while her husband carried it out.

The victim, a Ranni native, alleged that witchcraft rituals took place at the couple’s house in addition to extortion attempts. He said Jayesh and Reshmi appeared pleased when he screamed in pain and bled as the needle was forced under his nails.

The man was allegedly attacked after accepting Jayesh’s invitation to an Onasadya on Thiruvonam day. Police said video footage from Reshmi’s phone shows him being beaten across his body with iron rods, sparing only the head. His ribs and knees were broken.

Another youth from Alappuzha was also reportedly subjected to severe torture and later abandoned on a roadside.

He alleged he was stripped, forced to act out sex with a woman on camera, and then tied up and beaten. Police reports also suggest 23 stapler pins were driven into his genitals, and pliers were used to crush his fingernails.

Police said the accused displayed psychotic behaviour. Reshmi is reported to have watched the attacks in apparent enjoyment. Investigators said the footage will play a crucial role in the case, and they are probing whether the couple targeted other victims.

On Thiruvonam day, Jayesh, who is said to be a former colleague of one of the victims, invited him by phone. After the youth arrived, Jayesh allegedly sprayed him with a substance before launching the attack. The victim was later dumped by the roadside. Autorickshaw drivers spotted and took him to the hospital, where police began their investigation after being alerted by hospital authorities.

Police said the youth initially gave a false statement but revealed the true details during further questioning.