Kovalam spa case: Corpn. health inspector remanded in police custody

The Thiruvananthapuram District Court has remanded suspended Thiruvananthapuram Corporation health inspector M.O. Anuroop, an accused in the sexual abuse of a minor girl at a Kovalam spa, to police custody until November 6.

According to official sources, Anuroop, the fifth accused in the case, will be taken to various locations for evidence collection in order to uncover further details regarding his involvement in the crime. He is suspected to have owned the spa which was allegedly operated through a benami arrangement.

The police action comes amid steps reportedly being made by the City Corporation to formally request the government to dismiss him from service.

Meanwhile, witness statements gathered by the police have indicated that the survivor, a 16-year-old girl, had been subjected to brutal physical abuse and sexual assault by another accused Sajith, who allegedly operated the spa. Investigators also found that Sajith purportedly maintained close ties with Bengaluru native Vani, also an accused in the case, who is suspected to be a key intermediary in an inter-state sex racket.