Sexual assault during rescue: Survivor’s statement recorded again

Kottayam: The statement of the woman, who was allegedly sexually assaulted while being taken to a hospital in Kayamkulam following an accident, was recorded again on Tuesday. The investigation team, led by Kayamkulam DSP T Binukumar, took her statement at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, where she is being treated for injuries to her leg, shoulder and jaw. The new statement includes details of the accused businessman, Sanil Sabad, threatening her at the hospital and offering money through a friend. Additional charges will be filed accordingly. The woman will undergo a medical examination on Wednesday. Previously, the police recorded statements from more than 12 individuals who were present during the incident, including hospital staff and those who accompanied the woman. The team will collect CCTV footage from the hospital and the accident site to support further charges against the accused.The incident occurred when the woman, a native of Kollam and an IT employee in Thiruvananthapuram, was returning from Malayattoor with her friend and family. The autorickshaw they were travelling in met with an accident at Kayamkulam KPAC Junction on the night of April 3. The alleged assault happened when the businessman, Sanil Sabad, was helping her into a vehicle to take her to the hospital. Later, he reportedly threatened her not to disclose the incident and to get discharged and return to Kollam.The woman also alleged that a friend of the accused offered her Rs 25 lakh to drop the case. Following these developments, Kayamkulam DSP was assigned to further investigate the case. The district police chief submitted a preliminary report to the DGP, and the human rights commission ordered an inquiry.