An auto-rickshaw driver was arrested on Friday night for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman after drugging her with spiked juice in Kerala's Adoor, police said on Saturday. The accused, identified as Vinod, a native of Adoor, had reportedly gone into hiding after a case was registered against him.
According to police, the 28-year-old woman was living separately from her husband near the accused's residence. Officials at Adoor police station said she frequently hired Vinod's auto-rickshaw for travel. Police alleged that in February this year, Vinod gave the woman spiked juice and sexually assaulted her. They further alleged that the accused later recorded videos of the victim and repeatedly threatened and sexually harassed her.
Investigators revealed that Vinod continued threatening to upload the videos on social media, which prompted the woman to inform her husband about the incident. Police further alleged that Vinod assaulted the woman during an altercation, following which she approached the police and lodged a complaint last month. However, there was a delay in Vinod's arrest, leading the complainant to approach the district police chief. Subsequently, the probe was intensified, and the accused was arrested on Friday night.
Police officials said Vinod is being interrogated, and efforts are underway to recover digital evidence linked to the case. He will be produced before a court as part of the remand proceedings, police added.
The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy, as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault.
(With agency inputs)
