Steephan Kayyar
Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod
Kasargod, May 24: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has successfully arrested the accused from Andhra Pradesh involved in the abduction, sexual assault, and robbery of a 10-year-old girl within the Hosadurga police station limits.
Salim (39) from Madikeri Napoklu has been identified as the arrested suspect. Police sources reported that he would be brought to Kasaragod by Friday night. Salim avoided using his mobile phone and contacted his family through someone else's device. The investigation team traced him by focusing on this number, leading to his arrest. CCTV footage obtained on the day of the abduction was instrumental in identifying him.
By observing his movements, the investigation team was able to trace Salim's identity and whereabouts.
The child was abducted from her home in Padanakkad in the early hours of May 15 while she was sleeping. The assailant entered through the front door, which had been left open by the girl's grandfather, stole her gold earrings, and fled, leaving her a kilometer away. A medical report confirmed that a sexual assault had taken place.
The assailant took the girl through the kitchen door, left her in a nearby field, and threatened her. The girl sought help at a nearby house, bringing the incident to light when the family members intervened. The case was taken seriously and handed over to the SIT for investigation.
The investigation was overseen by a team led by Deputy Inspector North Zone Thomson Jose and District Superintendent of Police P Bejoy.
The 20-member SIT investigation team included DySPs Latish, Circle Inspector C K Sunilkumar, and P Balakrishnan Nair, along with M P Azad and sub-inspectors Akhil and M T P Saifuddin, among others.