Kochi POCSO case: Saiju Thankachan surrenders before police

Saiju Thankachan
Saiju Thankachan, the second accused in a POCSO case revolving around No 18 hotel in Fort Kochi

Kochi: Saiju Thankachan, the second accused in a POCSO case linked to No 18 hotel in Fort Kochi, surrendered before the police on Monday.

Thankachan surrendered at the Kochi Metro Police Station on Monday morning.

The surrender comes amidst the intensified search for the accused by the investigation team in Kochi. After realising that he was in town, the police had checked several places, including the houses of his relatives.

The Kerala High Court had earlier rejected the anticipatory bail plea filed by the accused in the case.

Roy J Vayalat, the owner of No 18 hotel who is the prime accused in the case, had surrendered before the police on Sunday.

Vayalat, caught in a storm over the death of two models last November, surrendered at the Assistant Commissioner's office at Mattancherry.

Vayalat was charged under the stringent POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act following the complaint of a Kozhikode woman.

She alleged that Vayalat had molested her 17-year-old daughter during a DJ party at his hotel on November 20, 2021.

Vayalat's partner Saiju Thankachan and his friend Anjali Reema Dev from Kozhikode, who are accused in the models' death case, are also allegedly involved in the POCSO case.

Earlier, Vayalat was arrested by the police for destroying evidence in the previous case but was later released on bail by a magistrate court.

On November 1, models Ansi Kabeer and Anjana Shajan, were killed in a car crash in the city. They had attended the party at the No 18 hotel just hours before.

Vayalat's hotel came under scrutiny also over reports that alcohol was served there well late into the night, contrary to a government order.

Police are also investigating a complaint that Anjali had tried to sexually abuse the minor daughter of an employee. Several girls have also come forward with similar complaints.

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