Four held in Kozhikode drug-induced gang rape case, remanded in custody

Four men have been remanded in judicial custody in connection with an alleged drug-induced gang rape reported in the Perambra area of Kozhikode district. The accused were produced before a court on Saturday, a day after the complaint was received.

The arrested have been identified as Valiyaparamba Jasif, 39, of Velliyur; Chamboli Sakkir Hussain, 49, of Karuvannur; Kalayamkulathu Rejeesh, 40; and Thanippatta Abhilash, 46, both from Naduvannur.

According to the Perambra police, the survivor alleged in her complaint that she was forcibly given alcohol and other narcotic substances before being sexually assaulted at multiple locations and on several occasions over the past two years. She further alleged that one of the accused recorded the assault and later used the footage to threaten her, including by sharing it with others.

Acting on the complaint filed on Friday, the Kozhikode rural police launched a night-long search across the district. The four suspects were traced to different places, including Kappad and Mankavu, and taken into custody.

A senior officer associated with the investigation said some of the accused have prior criminal records. Rejeesh, in particular, had earlier been arrested under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act and had served a prison sentence in a case involving an assault on his father.

Investigators suspect that more people may be involved in the case. A detailed probe is under way to establish the sequence of events and the full scope of the alleged offences. The police are also expected to seek custody of the accused to take the investigation forward.