THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a major breakthrough in the Kovalam spa sexual assault case involving a 16-year-old minor girl, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested an inter-state racketeer from Bengaluru. The arrested accused has been identified as Basil Vani, a native of Tamil Nadu, who had been absconding since the case was registered.
According to police officials, Basil Vani played a pivotal role by introducing the victim’s family, hailing from Andhra Pradesh, to prime accused Sajith and Nishanth, who are currently remanded in judicial custody. Investigating officers stated that Vani functions as a key operative in an inter-state human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation network. Police are currently probing whether she has trafficked other minor girls to Kerala under similar pretexts. The victim had earlier deposed to the police that she was taken to various spas across Tamil Nadu as well, and Vani’s involvement in those instances is under active scrutiny.
Simultaneously, the police confirmed that Junior Health Inspector V. C. Maya, who was arrested earlier, managed the operational affairs of all three spas where the sexual exploitation occurred. Investigators revealed that Maya acted as a front (benami) for co-accused Health Inspector Anuroop, who inducted her into the illicit trade two years ago. Revenue generated from the three spa outlets was initially routed into Maya’s personal bank accounts before being transferred to Anuroop.
The investigation team seized the mobile phones of accused Anuroop and Nishanth, retrieving critical digital evidence including encrypted WhatsApp chats, transaction logs, and financial records involving Maya. Phone call records also confirmed direct communication between Maya and the victim’s aunt. Confronted with digital and financial evidence during interrogation, Maya confessed to her role in the crime. With the arrest of Basil Vani, the total number of arrests in the high-profile case has risen to seven.
For more details: Navamalayalam.com