The Kozhikode Police have arrested four men for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl from Perinthalmanna in Malappuram, who had left her home following a dispute with her parents. The accused have been identified as Muhammed Saalih (45) and Shabeer Ali (41), both from Puthuppady, along with Muhammed Shameem (19) and Muhammed Rahees from Kasaragod.

According to police, the girl took a bus to Kozhikode beach on December 20. “Shameem and Rayees, both drug peddlers looking for their customers, spotted her at the beach early the next morning. The duo befriended the girl and lured her to their friend’s apartment by promising her a job and accommodation,” said officer Shalu. “She was then given drugs and repeatedly sexually assaulted by all four,” he added. On December 22, the accused took her back to Kozhikode beach and gave her ₹4000. The girl approached Vanitha police personnel at the beach and reported the incident.

A team led by ACP T K Ashraf traced a phone number that one of the accused had given the girl to gain her trust. With assistance from the Cyber Cell, the location was tracked to Pantheerankavu. After searching buildings in the area, Saalih and Shabeer Ali were apprehended from an apartment on Monday, while the remaining two were taken into custody on Tuesday.

The girl’s parents had already filed a missing persons complaint at the Perinthalmanna police station, and an investigation was underway. Saalih is also an accused in a previous murder case linked to gold smuggling, while others are reportedly repeat offenders.

The investigation was led by ACP T K Ashraf, SI Suku, ASI Deeptish Bijumohan, and members of the City Crime Squad, including Shalu M, Sujith C K, Jineesh Chuloor, Rakesh, and Chaitanyam.