Stephan Kayyar

Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod

Kasargod, Aug 23: In a shocking case that shook the district, the Hosdurg POCSO court on Saturday convicted the accused in connection with the abduction, sexual assault, and robbery of a 10-year-old girl. The quantum of punishment will be announced on Monday.

The convicted accused have been identified as Salam (39), a native of Napoklu in Madikeri, and his sister Suhaiba (21). Salam, who had been absconding after the crime, was arrested by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) from Andhra Pradesh on May 24. His sister Suhaiba was charged for selling the stolen gold ornaments belonging to the victim.

The incident took place on May 15, 2024, when the girl was abducted from her residence at Padanakkad during the early hours while she was asleep. The accused took away her gold earrings, abandoned her about one kilometre away in a field, and fled. Medical examination later confirmed sexual assault. The victim, who managed to seek help from a nearby house, narrated the ordeal to her family, bringing the crime to light.

Taking serious note of the incident, the case was handed over to the SIT for investigation. During the trial, 62 witnesses were examined. The second accused, Suhaiba, was held responsible for assisting in selling the stolen jewellery.

The investigation team was led by North Zone CI Thomson Jose and District Police Chief P Bijoy. The 20-member SIT comprised DYSPs Lateesh, CK Sunilkumar, and P Balakrishnan Nair, under whom CI MP Azhad and Sub-Inspectors Akhil and MTP Saifudheen worked relentlessly.

The SIT tracked Salam by tracing a mobile number he had used through another person’s phone to contact his family. CCTV footage collected from the area on the day of the incident also played a crucial role in identifying his movements and nabbing him.