Autorickshaw driver lands in police custody


THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The suspect in the Arya murder case was nabbed by the police from Kattakkada on Tuesday afternoon. Autorickshaw driver Rajesh Kumar, 32, of Christ Bhavan, Veeranakavu, Kattakkada, was the one held at the end of a week-long investigation.  Rajesh Kumar reportedly came near Arya’s house at Vattappara on a hired trip on March 6, the day Arya was found killed in her house.
 Police said that the autorickshaw came to a halt in front of Arya’s house owing to some problem. Rajesh approached 14-year-old Arya seeking a screwdriver to carry out the repair. He noticed that the young girl was alone in the house at that time.  Police said that he tried to snatch the gold chain worn by her. ‘’While she resisted his attempt, he tried to rape her. In the attempt, he  covered her mouth with his hand to prevent her from screaming, and she died of suffocation. Even then Rajesh continued his attempt to rape her, but stepped back after realising that she was on her monthly menstrual periods,’’ said Venjarammodu CI Biju K R who led the investigation team.
 The police had released the caricature of the suspect twice based on the information provided by the local people about the autorickshaw driver.  The local autorickshaw drivers were also under surveillance. The local people had managed to recollect the name of the autorickshaw and part of its registration number which helped the police in tracing the accused.   
Rajeshkumar, however, did not make any attempt to flee from Kattakada, according to the police.  Arya, daughter of Vijayakumar and Jayakumari of Chirakkonathu Vilayil Veetil, Vettinadu, Vattappara, was a 10th standard student of  Kanyakulangara Girls’ HSS. She was on study leave and was preparing for the SSLC exams, when the tragedy struck.

No comments: