Kerala: Cops nab Martin; three aides held

KOCHI: Martin Joseph (26), accused of allegedly restraining and sexually assaulting a woman in an apartment in Marine Drive, was caught from a deserted location in Thrissur. At the same time, Kochi police registered yet another case against him and arrested three persons, who facilitated his escape, on Wednesday night.The new case was registered against the youth at Vanitha Police station on Wednesday based on a complaint filed by a Kakkanad woman who said that she was assaulted by Martin who wanted to stay at her flat.“The incident happened on May 31. It seems he went to her flat to stay in hiding due to the other case pending against him. He did stay there for a while as well on his whim. Based on the woman’s statement we have registered a case for assault, using criminal force against a woman and outraging her modesty,” said an official.Meanwhile, Central Police three persons who aided Martins’ escape. They are Dhaneesh (29), son of Sivadasan, Parakkattu House, Pavaratty Village, Thrissur; Sreerag (27), son of Sasidharan, Kandiruthy House, Puthur, Kaipparambu Village, Thrissur and John Joy (28) son of Joy, Pariyadan House, Veloor Village, Thrissur.Police said Dhaneesh allegedly helped Martin to flee the apartment in Thrikkakara where he was hiding and move to Thrissur two days ago, just before police reached the spot early in the morning. Later, CCTV footage of Martin leaving the apartment also surfaced. The other two were booked for arranging hideouts and food for him. Police said that three more accused are under its lens in connection with the case. The Thrissur native had gone into hiding ever since police registered a case against him on a woman’s petition a few months ago. The HC is set to hear his anticipatory bail plea on Friday.