Two persons have been arrested by the Kalamassery police for allegedly drugging and gang-raping a woman at a lodge in Edappally, Kochi, Keralam, after promising her a job at a spa. The arrested are Sreeraj, 30, of Karthikappally, Alappuzha, and Jith Martin, 27, of Thrikkakara, Ernakulam.
The two were arrested and remanded in judicial custody on Sunday (October 4, 2026), two days after the alleged crime took place.
According to the police, the woman attended an interview at the spa on Friday (October 2, 2026) morning after responding to an online advertisement seeking candidates for the post of manager. She was informed that she had been selected and was called to the lodge in the evening for an informal gathering that led to the alleged crime. The woman was allegedly forced to consume alcohol spiked with drugs and sexually assaulted. She was reportedly confined to the room until the next day.
“The woman was in shock and was reluctant to file a complaint. We have registered a case based on a complaint from her friend. A medical examination found several injuries from the sexual abuse on her body. The survivor has said there was also a woman among the group,” District Police Chief (Kochi City) Kaliraj Mahesh Kumar told the media.
The police suspect that the men are part of a sex racket operating through some spas. A search is on for two others, including a woman, the police said.
Published - October 05, 2026 11:10 am IST