Two arrested for inflicting burn injuries on youth

Kochi: Kochi city police on Sunday arrested two youngsters after a 34-year-old Ponekkara resident filed a complaint alleging that a group tortured him after he asked their friend who was staying with him to vacate his rented house.

As per FIR, the complainant alleged that the group used a hot ladle to burn him multiple times. He also complained that the men tied a dog’s leash on his body and forced him to crawl on the floor. The alleged torture occurred on Friday.

Police arrested two among the accused, identified as Sejin Pius, 23, of Ponekkara and Amal P S, 30, of Edappally. First accused, Joseph Joju, 35, is absconding, police said.

The accused were friends with the victim, and the first accused took him to Pius’s house on a scooter. FIR says that when he reached the house, he asked him to go to the first floor as Pius was in his room. He then went to the kitchen to heat a ladle. The accused then placed it behind his neck and threatened him, saying that there was a cemetery close by and they will bury him there.

He then took him to the room and made Amal heat up the ladle again. The accused then forcefully restrained him on a chair and burned him again using the hot ladle. They also verbally abused his deceased mother, FIR says. The torture allegedly continued for nearly two hours before he escaped.

The victim later approached a private hospital in the city complaining of breathing difficulties. Police are also investigating financial dealings between the victim and the accused. Arrested individuals were presented in court and remanded in judicial custody.