Four held for assault on central govt employees

Thiruvananthapuram: The Pettah police on Thursday arrested four men in connection with the alleged attack on two central government employees and their families near Pettah a few days ago.

The police identified the accused as Rakesh, 28, of V V Road near Pattoor, Praveen, 25, of Kannammoola, Abhijith Nair of Pazhakutti near Nedumangad and Shiju, 28, of Thekkummoodu, near Pattom.

Ravi Yadav of Haryana and Jagath Singh of Uttar Pradesh and their spouses are the complainants in the case. They faced the attack while they were out for a walk on Sunday around 8.30pm.

City police commissioner Balramkumar Upadhyay said it was Rakesh and Praveen who took part in the attack. Abhijith Nair and Shiju were arrested for helping the main accused escape from the city after committing the crime. While Rakesh was caught from Kottiyam, Praveen was held from Monvila. The others were held from Nedumangad.

Police said Rakesh and Praveen were riding on a motorcycle when they saw the couples walking along the road. The two men were walking ahead while their spouses were trailing behind. Rakesh, who was riding pillion, harassed one of the women. When Ravi Yadav and Jagath Singh confronted them, the accused attacked them using sharp weapons and inflicted injuries.

The delay in arresting the accused had resulted in police receiving flak from various corners.

Rakesh and Praveen have been charged under offences pertaining to Section 354 (outraging the modesty of women), among others.