Thiruvananthapuram: Youths booked for abetting suicide attempt of two sisters

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Varkala police on Tuesday arrested four youths for allegedly outraging the modesty of two sisters and abetting the suicide attempt of one of them. They  had allegedly manhandled the sisters who were in their mid-20s for resisting harassment at a restaurant at Papanasam during Independence Day. Later, they also allegedly uploaded the women’s picture on Facebook and passed derogatory comments. With this, the elder sister consumed sleeping pills in excessive quantity and attempted suicide on Monday night, the police said. The  accused were identified as Aleem Thaha, 21,  Ajas, 22,  Ravas, 22, and Navas, 20,  all residents of Edava.

As per the police, the youths were the victims’ neighbours and they used to often call the girls  nicknames and engage in eve-teasing. During Independence Day, the sisters were at a restaurant on Papanasam beach when the drunken youths started badmouthing them. The sisters questioned them and the youths were ousted from the hotel. When the women stepped out, a quarrel ensured. As per their complaint, the suspects tore the elder sister’s saree, photographed them and threw her mobile phone off the cliff.

The family of the accused tried to settle the matter as one of them identified as Safaan, 21,  had to go to a Gulf country. However, after reaching the West Asian country, Safaan started posting the pictures of the sisters taken on the day. He also passed lewd comments and alleged that the sisters were trying to extort '5 lakh to withdraw the police complaint. On Monday night, the elder sister allegedly attempted suicide by consuming sleeping pills. She was declared to be out of danger at a nearby private hospital. Her husband works at a West Asian  country whereas the younger sister was preparing for civil services examinations.

The youths were booked under Section 354 of IPC for outraging the modesty of the women  and  charged under Kerala police (KP) Act section 119 (B) for taking photographs and spreading  them at places in a manner affecting their reasonable privacy and section 120 (o) for causing nuisance through means of communication such as email or messenger. The Kerala State Women’s Commission has also registered a case and directed the Varkala police to submit a report to it on the issue.