Images used for representational purpose

TRICHY: A second year girl student of an engineering college was kidnapped and raped by a history-sheeter at Thuvakudi village, 20km from Trichy in the early hours of Sunday. The Thuvakudi police arrested the accused, Manikandan, 32, of Vazhavandhankottai on Monday.

On Saturday night, the student had gone for a movie with a man, who was her friend. After the show, she returned to her college hostel. However, the gate was closed. So, they decided to spend the night in a bus shelter at Thuvakudi.

Around 3am, Manikandan, who was passing by that side on a two-wheeler noticed the two and stopped his vehicle. Claiming that he was a home guard, Manikandan, who first questioned the duo started attacking the man leaving him unconscious.

He then took the girl on his two-wheeler under the pretext of taking her to the Thuvakudi police station. Instead, he rode the two-wheeler to a secluded place where he raped her. Later, he dropped her back at the Thuvakudi bus stop, where her friend was waiting, and sped away.

The girl and her friend then went to the government hospital in Thuvakudi to get treatment for the latter who was attacked by Manikandan. The issue also reached the Trichy superintendent of police Zia Ul Haq who ordered a detailed inquiry with the two. During inquiry, the girl revealed about the incident.

In the meantime, upon being informed, the girl’s parents also reached the city. They along with the girl then formally lodged a complaint with the police. The girl was shown records of criminals in the area, in which she identified the accused.

Following this, the special team picked up Manikandan on Sunday night. Trichy range deputy inspector general of police (DIG) V Balakrishnan, SP Haq also joined the investigation. It was revealed that Manikandan was a history-sheeter involved in petty crimes in the area.

Police registered a case under five sections including rape , kidnap for raping, criminal intimidation, impersonation, against Manikandan and arrested him. They said that Manikandan will be remanded in judicial custody.

Meanwhile, the victim was admitted to a private hospital in Trichy for treatment and put through medical examination on Monday.

