Kochi: Ashfaq Alam, accused in the sexual assault and murder of a five-year-old girl in Aluva, has been remanded for 14 days. The police produced the accused at the Aluva magistrate's house on Sunday morning and after a medical examination, was transferred to the Aluva sub-jail. The prosecution has requested seven-day custody of the accused, and the court will review the custody application on Monday.

The accused has been charged with nine counts, including rape. The police investigation indicates that Ashfaq acted alone in the crime. Although some others were initially suspected and interrogated, it was established that they had no involvement in the incident.

According to police, the suspect kidnapped the child around 3 pm on Friday and took her to a shop, where he bought her juice. Later, he was seen in the Aluva market area with the child. The police believe that the crime was committed between 5 pm and 5:30 pm that evening.

The investigation revealed that the child was killed by suffocation, as evident from a garment found around her neck. The investigation also revealed signs of brutal sexual assault. It is likely that she died before the assault, according to police. The child's body was found lying in a swamp near the riverbank.