Three held in Varkala rape case

A 19-year-old Dalit nursing student was raped allegedly by Safeer along with his friend Saiju, an autorickshaw driver

Police today arrested three persons in connection with the gangrape of a 19-year-old Dalit nursing student in Varkala on May 3.

The accused have been identified as Safeer (25), Saiju (21) and Rasheed (20), all hailing from Varkala, said Thiruvananthapuram Superintendent of Police (Rural) Shefeen Ahamed K.

The victim, a second year BSc nursing student, was raped allegedly by Safeer along with his friend Saiju, an autorickshaw driver near Ayanthi bridge in Varkala and later by their friend Rasheed, the SP said.

They took the girl to a deserted place and committed the offence, he said.

"We want to ensure maximum punishment for the accused. After getting legal advice, charges would be framed," he said when asked whether they would be charged under IPC 376 (2) (g) (gangrape).

Medical examination had confirmed that she had been gangraped.

The victim had gone with Safeer, who was known to her, in the autorickshaw of his friend, Saiju, on the day of the incident, police said.

Later, they called Rasheed and asked him to take her to the railway station in the auto, police said, adding, he also allegedly raped the girl en route.

The incident comes days after a 30-year-old Dalit law student was raped and murdered at Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district.