THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kilimanoor police on Monday arrested a 55-year-old man from Kadakkal and booked him under Pocso for alleged rape of two minor sisters under the pretext of removing ‘dosham’ from their family.
Sarath Babu, a resident of Chingeli near Kadakkal, was arrested for raping two sisters aged 17 and 13 since 2024. The police said the man, who had fleeced gold and cash from several victims by conducting tantric practices, got in touch with the family of the victims in 2024.
The girls had been living with their mother after their father had abandoned them. Sarath came in touch with the victims’ mother when she was frantically trying to sell off a portion of the ancestral property that belonged to her. Due to some reasons the sale was not taking shape and the family contacted Sarath. Sarath convinced them the family had some ‘dosham’ and as a result there was a delay in selling the land. Since the land was eventually sold, Sarath earned the family’s trust.
It was during this time he goaded the girls to have an intimate physical relationship with him by making them believe that it was the only way to remove the ‘dosham’ that has affected the family.
The abuse occurred at the girls’ residence at Kilimanoor as well as lodge rooms in Thiruvananthapuram city. The disturbing matter came to light after the elder girl’s school teacher noticed some changes in her character and behaviour. They contacted an NGO, which conducted counseling during which the girls confessed to the ordeal.
The police’s initial assessment is that the mother was unaware of the abuse. However, they will question the accused further to ascertain if the woman had played any role in the offence. The police, meanwhile, said the accused had conned several people in this manner.
Sarath had gone into hiding. However, the cops located his hideout and arrested him on Monday. He was produced before the court which remanded him in judicial custody.