Palakkad (Kerala) – A resort owner who had been on the run following allegations of assaulting and confining a tribal man has surrendered in court, police said on Sunday.

Prabhu (40), the owner of a resort at Edukkupara in Muthalamada, appeared before the Special Court for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act Cases in Mannarkkad on Saturday, according to police.

Authorities rescued Vellayan, a resident of Moochakundu, Chambakuzhi in Muthalamada, from the resort on August 21. The victim was reportedly assaulted and kept locked up by Prabhu and his staff for allegedly drinking liquor stored at the resort.

Vellayan claimed he was “given food only once a day and was frequently beaten by Prabhu”.

The victim’s confinement came to light when another tribal worker at the resort discovered him five days later and alerted Dalit activists, who contacted the police. A search operation was then conducted, leading to Vellayan’s rescue.

Earlier, a case was filed under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and Prabhu’s mother had been arrested.

Police stated that Prabhu had been evading arrest by hiding across Kerala and neighboring states before finally surrendering. Authorities plan to request the court for his custody to conduct further interrogation.

PTI