Two held for Latvian tourist sexual assault, murder

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two history-sheeters were arrested on Thursday in connection with the sexual assault and murder of the 32-year-old Latvian tourist near Kovalam on March 14. The accused are Umesh, 28, and Udayan, 24, both hailing from Panathura, where the tourist’s decomposed body was found on April 20. Umesh  is  involved in 13 cases of drug peddling and other criminal activities and  Udayan in eight criminal cases.

State police chief Lokn-ath Behera said that the tourist was lured by the accused, taken to the isolated area filled with mangroves, given narcotic substances and raped. As she resisted, she was strangled and hanged  using creepers. The incident occurred on March 14, the day she was reported missing. The involvement of more persons in the crime was also being probed. 

Thiruvananthapuram-range IG Manoj Abraham, who was heading the probe, said that the accused were traced by locating those who used to frequent the area. The mobile call details and scientific analysis of evidence received from the spot also helped in nabbing the accused. A probe into their  antecedents would also be held  to ascertain whether they had committed any other similar criminal activities, he said.

They will be charged under Section 302 of Indian Penal Code for murder, 376 for rape, 366 for abduction, 342 for wrongful confinement, 201 for tampering with evidence and 20(b) of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act for selling drugs. Mr Behera said that it was a difficult case to crack as there were more negative pieces of evidence from the crime spot. 

Since the body was in a decomposed state, it was difficult to get forensic evidence. Circumstantial and scientific evidence from the spot helped the police to solve the case. “If necessary, we will seek the help of the best labs in the country to ensure that a tight case is charged against the guilty," Mr Behera said.
The Latvian tourist along with her sister had come to the state on February 3. They stayed at Alappuzha, Amrithanandamayi Ashram and Varkala before coming to an ayurveda centre at Pothencode. The victim was also under treatment for depression.

Following information that she had taken an autorickshaw to Kovalam, the police initiated a search at various places, including the sea with the help of Navy. Her body was spotted at the isolated area at Panathura near Kovalam on April 20. Appreciating the investigation team’s efforts, Mr Behera said that a badge of honour would be presented to the members. City police commissioner P. Prakash, deputy commissioner (law and order) G. Jaidev, assistant commissioner (control room) Suresh Kumar and assistant commissioner (Fort) J.K. Dinil  were the key members of the  team.