Cops to seek custody of Paravoor rape accused

KOCHI: The police will seek custody of the three arrested in connection with the Paravoor rape and blackmailing case on suspicion that the gang has abused more women. Two suspects are still at large.
An investigating officer said the five-member gang might have trapped more women, since the arrested youth had earlier been involved in instances of blackmailing.However, no other complaints have been received so far.
“We have seized the computers and mobile phones used by the accused and have sought the help of the police cyber cell to retrieve the data from the hard disk. We can confirm whether there are more victims only after examining the hard disk,” said Abdul Salam, circle inspector of police in Paravoor.
Sibin (25) of Paravoor, Sherin (33) of Munambam and Rajesh alias Kuttan Mani (33) of Pattanam were arrested on Thursday, and have been in judicial remand. Police said they would move a remand application in the Kothamangalam chief judicial magistrate court on Monday, seeking their custody.
Once granted custody of the trio, police would initiate steps to retrieve 15 sovereigns of gold and Rs 25,000 the accused had extorted from the 22-year-old victim, a nurse. It has been suspected that the accused might have mortgaged the gold.
Police said Sibin and the woman were in a relationship for about two years. He allegedly had physical relationship with her on promise of marriage, and recorded the act using a mobile phone camera. Later, the accused, along with his friends, blackmailed her into parting with gold ornaments and money. Sibin’s aides, too, had molested her, police said.
The woman, police said, was unaware that Sibin was already married.
Even after she had paid ransom, the gang allegedly demanded more money, threatening to upload the video clips on the internet. When the demands became frequent, she informed her father, who approached the police.
A police hunt is on for two more suspects, Rojo and Sajith, both residents of Andipalli. Investigators said the woman was sexually abused at Rojo’s house by Sibin, the prime accused. A lookout notice has been issued to nab Rojo.
Following Thursday’s arrest, police found video clips in Sibin’s mobile phone. Investigators said Rojo is associated with TV serials and cinema.