Man held for kidnapping and assaulting Navaikulam panchayat vice-president

T'puram: A 28-year-old history-sheeter, who allegedly assaulted Navaikulam grama panchayat vice-president P Sandiya when she tried to intervene in the assault of his co-worker, was arrested by Thiruvananthapuram rural Dansaf team on Monday. The accused, Haridev of Navaikulam, had been absconding since the incident took place on July 6. The police said he had allegedly kidnapped his co-worker, who belongs to the SC/ST community, from his home at Kallambalam and taken him to a place near his residence, where he allegedly assaulted him. Sandiya reached the spot after receiving information about the incident. On hearing the co-worker screaming, she tried to intervene, following which Haridev allegedly assaulted her. She sustained injuries to her neck and back and was admitted to a private hospital. After the incident, Haridev allegedly went into hiding and stayed in Hyderabad and Bengaluru to evade arrest. The police continued efforts to trace him and, based on a tip-off, learnt that he had returned to Kallambalam. A Dansaf team subsequently tracked him down and arrested him. The police said the evidence-collection procedure in the case has also been completed. Haridev is involved in several criminal cases, police said. The police are examining the circumstances surrounding the alleged kidnapping and assault and are also verifying his previous criminal record. The accused was produced before the court and remanded in judicial custody. Further probe is under way. Stay updated with the latest Thiruvananthapuram news. Download the TOI App.