Alleged assault on women in Kochi: two more held

The Ernakulam Town North police on Sunday (June 7, 2026) arrested two more accused in connection with the alleged assault on two young women at Kaloor by a group of 10 people.

A.K. Thasni, 22, and Thesni Sherin, 21, both natives of Edappal in Malappuram, who had been absconding since the incident on Tuesday (June 2, 2026) were taken into custody from their hometown on Saturday (June 6, 2026) night. With this, six of the accused have been arrested, while four remain on the run.

The women were nabbed following the arrest of P. Akbar Ali, 29, the prime accused, from Cherpulassery in Palakkad on Saturday. “The women were dropped at Edappal by Ali,” a police officer said.

The accused women were in Kochi to study cosmetology and work part-time, according to the police. Investigators suspect that the women were aware of Ali’s alleged illegal activities, including his alleged involvement in a sex racket.

The alleged assault took place around 4.30 a.m. on Tuesday on Chakkalapadam Road in Kaloor. The women were reportedly returning to their hostel after having tea when the group allegedly made lewd gestures and sexually coloured remarks at them, leading to a confrontation and physical assault.