The police have arrested a couple from Charalkunnu in Pathanamthitta on the charge of luring two youths into a ‘honey trap’ and subjecting them to brutal torture.
The arrested have been identified as Jayesh and Reshmi. They allegedly beat the victims, one from Neelamperoor in Alappuzha and another from Ranni in Pathanamthitta, with iron rods and drove stapler pins into their private parts.
The victims told the media that the couple displayed ‘‘psychopathic mentality’‘.
The crime came to light when a youth, abandoned after the assault, was admitted to a hospital in a critical condition. The couple reportedly stole his two mobile phones and ₹19,000 from his wallet before abandoning him at an autorickshaw stand. Earlier, Jayesh had picked him up from Maramon on his motorcycle around 12.30 p.m. on September 1 and taken him to the couple’s residence.
The second victim, who had previously worked with Jayesh at a private company, was invited to the couple’s house on September 5 (Onam day). He was allegedly beaten with an iron rod, had staples pinned at 23 places on his body, including his genitals, and was robbed of money and his mobile phone before being abandoned in an isolated area.
After the abuse, the couple reportedly forced the victims into staged situations, recording nude photographs and fabricating images to make it appear as though they were engaged in sexual acts with Reshmi. Investigators believe the couple used these images to blackmail victims and silence them.
Initially, a case was registered at Aranmula police station before being transferred to Koipuram police station.
