Kerala police, on Wednesday, January 29, arrested a man for allegedly assaulting a 19-year-old woman, who was found unconscious and partially undressed at her residence in Kerala’s Ernakulam district. The accused, identified as Anoop, has been booked under several sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhitha (BNS), including rape, house trespass and attempted murder .
The woman, who was a survivor of child abuse, was found with severe injuries and a shawl, tightened around her neck. She is currently on ventilator support at a private hospital in Ernakulam.
In his statement to the police, Anoop admitted to physically assaulting the woman and claimed that she tried to die by suicide due to the distress caused by the physical assault.
According to reports, Anoop arrived at her house on the night of January 25 after he failed to reach her over phone calls. The survivor was alone at home that time. They were reported to have a verbal argument regarding whom the woman was speaking to on the phone earlier. This escalated into Anoop assaulting her.
Anoop left the premises on the morning of January 26, after which a relative found the victim and rushed her to the hospital. Medical reports indicate she has suffered serious brain damage, though examinations confirmed no sexual assault took place.
According to the survivor's mother, Anoop used to come to their home, and he recently began to physically and mentally torture the survivor for having male friends. “I used to warn her to end the relationship with him,” her mother told the media. She also added that, earlier, she and their neighbours complained about him to the police, mentioning he was coming to her house without permission.
According to reports, Anoop has been booked under 64 (rape), 452(house trespass with the intent to cause harm or assault), and 109 (attempting to commit murder) of BNS. Anoop will be produced to the court today.