Chalakudy: A man previously charged with murder and his two accomplices have been remanded in custody following the horrific drugging, sexual assault, and robbery of a young woman at a resort in Athirappilly.

The prime suspect, identified as 44-year-old Vettikkal Rasheed, was apprehended alongside Jalaluddeen (23) and Jobin (36) by a specialist police unit led by District Chief B. Krishnakumar.

The incident, which took place on the night of 13 December, began when the victim was allegedly lured to the area under the guise of viewing a rental property. As per reports, the woman was taken to a local resort where she was surreptitiously administered water laced with Class A drug MDMA.

While the victim was incapacitated, she was subjected to a serious sexual assault, which the suspects reportedly filmed on a mobile phone. The gang then used the footage to blackmail the woman, threatening to leak the recordings to social media unless she handed over her jewellery. A gold necklace and bangle were stolen during the ordeal.

A Career in Crime

The arrest of Rasheed has brought a notorious figure back into the custody of the Kerala Police. Records show that Rasheed was previously a key suspect in a 2016 investigation involving the brutal murder of a woman in an Ayyanthole flat.

His criminal portfolio spans several jurisdictions, including Kodakara and Thrissur West, with active files involving:

  • Attempted murder and assault
  • Theft and fraud
  • The illegal use of mobile phones while previously incarcerated

His accomplice, Jalaluddeen, is also known to authorities, with a history of theft and drug-related offences.

The investigation remains ongoing, spearheaded by Chalakudy Deputy Superintendent V.K. Raju and Athirappilly Station House Officer Manesh Paulose. Forensic evidence from the resort and the seized mobile devices are currently being processed.