Kerala shocker: Woman assaulted at knifepoint near Ernakulam railway station, 2 arrested

KOCHI: A three-member gang allegedly sexually assaulted a woman at knifepoint near Ernakulam Junction Railway Station, police said on Friday, adding that two accused have been arrested while a search is on for the third.The arrested accused have been identified as Danish (26), a native of Varkala in Thiruvananthapuram district, and Rahul (39), a resident of Paravoor in Kollam district.Police said the prime accused, Sanjay, a native of Aroor in Alappuzha district, is still absconding.According to officials, the incident took place on the night of May 5 when the victim was talking with her friend near a closed hotel close to Ernakulam Junction Railway station.Officials said the accused approached the duo, attacked the victim’s friend and then allegedly threatened the woman at knifepoint before sexually assaulting her.Police further said the accused also allegedly disrobed the victim during the attack.However, the woman managed to escape from the spot and reached a nearby shop, where she sought help.Police were alerted immediately and the victim was taken to the station.Officials said the accused were heavily intoxicated at the time of the incident and fled the area soon after the attack.A case was registered on May 6 under charges including rape, disrobing a woman, criminal intimidation and robbery.The two arrested accused were later produced before court and remanded to judicial custody, while efforts are on to trace the third accused, police said.(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)