A woman employee of a hotel in Kerala’s Kozhikode district was seriously injured after she jumped from the first floor of her rented accommodation to escape an alleged rape attempt by her employer. The accused, identified as Devadas, was arrested late Tuesday from a bus in Thrissur district, police confirmed.
The incident took place on Saturday night when Devadas, the owner of the hotel where the woman worked, allegedly barged into her room with two accomplices—Riyas and Suresh—and attempted to sexually assault her. In a desperate bid to escape, the 24-year-old woman leaped from the first floor, sustaining fractures in her hip and hand. She is currently undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital, where her condition is reported to be stable.
Following a tip-off about Devadas’ movements, Mukkam police tracked him down and intercepted the bus he was traveling in, taking him into custody. He was brought to Mukkam police station early Wednesday morning. Meanwhile, the other two accused, Riyas and Suresh, remain at large, and a manhunt is underway to locate them.
The case gained widespread attention after the victim’s family released a mobile video that inadvertently recorded parts of the assault attempt. The footage, captured while she was playing a mobile game, shows her pleading with the accused, saying, “Please don’t hurt me.” Her screams for help can also be heard in the clip.
The Kerala police have booked the accused under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 329(4) – House trespass
- Section 74 – Use of criminal force or assault with intent to outrage a woman’s modesty
- Section 3(5) – Joint criminal liability
In response to the incident, the Kerala Women’s Commission has directed Kozhikode Rural Superintendent of Police K. E. Baiju to submit an immediate report on the matter.
Meanwhile, local residents and activists have called for strict action against the perpetrators, emphasizing the need for better protection of women working in vulnerable settings.
