Kochi: Three days after a 20-year-old girl was found bleeding and brutally assaulted in a half-conscious state in her house at Chottanikara, the police have slapped charges of rape and attempt to murder against a 24-year-old youth from Thalayolaparambu. He was identified as the survivor's boyfriend. Chottanikara police said the case was charged based on a complaint filed by the survivor's mother. 

Surveillance camera footage showed the suspect being dropped off in front of the survivor's residence on Saturday night. The residents in the area identified the youth on the footage as the same person who reportedly caused a ruckus in the locale. A month ago, a mass petition signed by the residents was filed against the youth at Chottanikara police. He had gotten into an altercation with the residents over parking a vehicle, and when it became a regular affair, the residents filed a complaint with the police.

The survivor was found lying on the floor on Sunday by one of her relatives who came to visit her from Wayanad. "Her condition was really bad. She couldn't talk or move; she let out a feeble groan. We took her to a hospital at Tripunithura from where she was referred to Medical trust hospital. Her condition is really critical," said panchayat ward member Mini Pradeepkumar. 

The survivor was found partially disrobed, with ligature marks on her neck and body laced with wounds. She was bleeding heavily, and residents said that it appeared like she was subjected to continuous assault. The survivor was a student at a special school. The survivor's mother was shifted to another place at Kakkanad following threats from the youth and a few other youngsters two days ago.

The mother is a widower, and the couple had adopted the survivor as a child, panchayat representatives said. The mother told the media that the youth, who is in police custody, frequently assaulted the survivor.

" He came home regularly, and I wasn't aware of it until the neighbours told me. My daughter told me that she was often assaulted and mentally harassed. I asked her to withdraw from the relationship since he was constantly harassing her," she said.

V T Shajan, Puthencruz DySP said that the youth was being questioned and the investigation was in a preliminary stage. The police took the youth into custody on Monday night.