Kochi/Thrissur: Three staff members of a destitute home, including its operator, have been arrested in connection with the brutal torture of an inmate, who was later dumped on a roadside in Kodungallur. Sudarshan (47), a native of Aroor, remains in critical condition at the Thrissur Medical College Hospital.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Francis alias Amal (65), who runs the Evangelo Ashram in Koonammavu near Varappuzha in Ernakulam, and his two assistants, Nithin (35) and Aromal (23). 

The incident took place on October 21. Sudarshan had been taken into custody by the Ernakulam Central Police after he was found suspiciously wandering in the city around two weeks ago. Later, police discovered that he was mentally unstable and admitted him to the destitute home. 

However, it is learned that during his stay, Sudarshan got into a fight with other inmates, prompting staff to detain him. When he reportedly attacked a staff member, others retaliated violently, thrashing and torturing him. 

“Preliminary investigation found that the victim was tied to a cot and tortured. Later, instead of providing medical care for his life-threatening injuries, the staff loaded Sudarshan into the destitute home’s vehicle. In the early morning hours on October 21, they drove to Kodungallur and dumped him near the bus stop in front of Panickers Hall at West Nada,” said the police. 

Sudarshan is an accused in around six criminal cases, including a murder case in Cherthala, for which he was out on bail. Initially, police and Sudarshan’s family suspected the attack could be revenge for that case. However, the investigation took a turn when officers recovered CCTV footage from the Kodungallur area. The footage clearly showed the destitute home’s vehicle arriving at the spot and the staff abandoning the grievously injured Sudarshan.

Passersby later found him and rushed him to the hospital. His injuries were extensive and he suffered severe internal trauma, serious organ damage, and multiple fractures across his body. “His genitalia were so badly injured in the assault that they had to be surgically removed at the hospital due to infection. He lost his vision as a result of the attack. His body also had numerous slash marks from a knife. He remains on a ventilator in critical condition,” said a senior police officer. 

The police have filed charges, including attempted murder and criminal conspiracy, and suspect more people may be involved in the assault and subsequent cover-up. The case is being investigated by a special team led by Kodungallur DySP VK Raju. 

A separate case has also been registered at the Varapuzha police station to probe activities at the destitute home. The accused will be produced before the court.