Thrissur, Kerala – March 2, 2025: A five-member gang was arrested on Sunday in Thrissur for allegedly abducting, assaulting, and robbing a young woman over a financial disagreement involving a local spa center, police confirmed.
Police identified and tracked the group to Gopakumar’s residence, which led to the shocking discovery of the abducted woman.
Police continue their investigations to gather further evidence in the case.
Identified Accused in Custody
The accused have been identified as:- Gopakumar alias Gopu (43) from Thrissur
- Abhinash P Shankar (30) from Kozhikode
- Jithin Joshi (27) from Thrissur
- Aathira (30) from Kozhikode
- Anju (30) from Thiruvananthapuram
Incident Discovery during Police Investigation
The incident surfaced unexpectedly when police, investigating an unrelated assault at a coffee shop, found the young woman held captive at Gopakumar’s residence on Saturday. The victim was managing a spa along with her male friend, Akhil, who had reportedly fallen out with Gopakumar over unresolved financial issues related to the business.Victim Assaulted and Robbed
According to police, during her captivity, the woman was physically assaulted, her mobile phone destroyed, and gold ornaments forcibly taken. The stolen valuables included a necklace weighing 2.5 sovereigns and a bangle of 1.5 sovereigns.Coffee Shop Incident Linked to Accused
The same group had earlier been involved in another violent episode on Thursday night at a coffee shop in Paliyekkara, near Thrissur. The accused, reportedly intoxicated at the time, attacked Abdul, a migrant worker at the café, after he requested them to adhere to the establishment's token-based service system.Police identified and tracked the group to Gopakumar’s residence, which led to the shocking discovery of the abducted woman.
Financial Dispute behind Abduction
Investigators revealed that the abduction was premeditated, aimed at coercing Akhil, the victim’s associate and former business partner of Gopakumar, to resolve pending financial matters. The woman was targeted after Akhil failed to appear at a scheduled meeting to discuss the financial dispute.Legal Actions Initiated
The accused now face charges including abduction, physical assault, and robbery. Police have registered separate cases related to both the kidnapping incident and the café assault. Following their arrest, the five individuals were presented before a local court and remanded to judicial custody.Police continue their investigations to gather further evidence in the case.
