Kaapa Crackdown: Two habitual offenders detained in Kochi

Kochi: In a continued crackdown on habitual offenders, Hill Palace police on Tuesday detained two accused under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (Kaapa). The arrests were made based on preventive detention orders issued by district collector under Section 3(2)(i) of the act.The first accused, Sarathkumar, 33, of AKG Nagar, Irumpanam, has been involved in multiple criminal cases, including theft, attempt to murder and assault, registered across various police stations in Kochi city. Acting on the detention order, a police team led by Hill Palace police inspector Rajesh T G took him into custody and later lodged him at the Central Prison in Viyyur, Thrissur. In a similar operation, police also detained Hareesh, 34, currently residing at Malayil Parambil house near Thiruvankulam. He is also an accused in several cases involving theft, attempted murder and assault across the city. Both arrests are part of intensified efforts by Kochi city police to curb repeat offenders and maintain public order. Police commissioner Kairaj Mahesh Kumar IPS stated that strict action will continue against those engaged in anti-social activities.Man arrested for sexually assaulting minors: A 38-year-old man was arrested in connection with the alleged sexual assault of two minor girls in Perumbavoor, police said. The accused, Abdul Razak, a native of Mogral, Kasaragod and currently residing in Perumbavoor, was taken into custody by a special investigation team of Ernakulam rural police led by inspector Anil Kumar L. According to police sources, the incidents allegedly occurred in March. The victims are daughters of a migrant couple from Odisha living in a nearby settlement. The accused, a head-load worker who also took up daily wage jobs, is suspected of sexually exploiting the minors. Police said he has been booked under multiple provisions, including Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act, Information Technology Act for violation of privacy and relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Further investigation is under way, including whether he was involved in similar offences elsewhere.