Two men have been arrested in connection with the alleged sexual assault of a woman at knifepoint near Ernakulam Junction Railway Station, police said on Friday. Officials added that the prime accused is still on the run as the investigation into the shocking Kochi crime case continues.

The arrested accused have been identified as Danish and Rahul. Police said they are searching for the third accused, Sanjay, who is believed to be the main accused in the case.

According to police officials, the incident took place on the night of May 5 near a closed hotel near to the railway station when the woman was sitting and talking with a friend.

Investigators said the three accused allegedly approached the pair, assaulted the victim’s friend and threatened the woman with a knife before sexually assaulting her. Police also said the accused allegedly disrobed the woman during the attack.

The victim later managed to escape from the spot and sought help from a nearby shop. Police were alerted immediately and shifted the woman to the station for further action.

Police registered a case on May 6 under multiple sections, including rape, criminal intimidation, disrobing a woman and robbery.

Officials said the accused were allegedly heavily intoxicated at the time of the incident and went into hiding soon after the attack.

The two arrested men were later traced and taken into custody from different parts of the city.

Police said efforts are continuing to locate and arrest the absconding accused, Sanjay. The arrested men were produced before a court and remanded to judicial custody.

With PTI inputs