Police have learnt that Benjamin — a 35-year-old Madurai native arrested for the alleged rape of a 25-year-old IT professional at a women's hostel in Kazhakoottam — is also an accused in five theft cases registered in Madurai and another district in Tamil Nadu.
Benjamin is due to be produced before the Attingal Judicial First Class Magistrate - 1, where the police plan to seek his custody for further questioning. The victim has successfully identified the accused, police confirmed.
Benjamin allegedly broke into the hostel and attempted to molest the woman in the early hours of Friday morning. When the woman resisted and screamed for help, he fled the premises. A special investigation team was immediately set up following the complaint filed by the victim.
Police successfully traced the accused by scanning CCTV footage. Benjamin, who was involved in purchasing second-hand cars at cheap rates, had secured a loan to buy a truck and frequently transported cargo between Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kollam. On Friday, he had reached Kazhakoottam from Chennai and unloaded materials at a local shop. Police believe he then loitered around the area, initially targeting the hostel for theft. After the victim called for help, he went to where his truck was parked and waited until Saturday morning. He then drove to Kollam, loaded another cargo, and headed towards Madurai. "He had no clue that police were after him. That's why he didn't attempt to go into hiding. We arrested him in Madurai when he stepped out of his place. He didn't put up any struggle," said a police officer who was part of the investigation team.
In the wake of this incident, the city police plan to launch a security audit of women's hostels. Police noted that the particular hostel where the incident occurred lacked any security facilities. "It was a 12-room hostel with no guard or surveillance system. The inmates usually leave the door open, as they share it with two to three other women," the police official explained. The police will now collect details of all hostels operating in the city, particularly in Kazhakoottam, where many IT employees live in rented accommodation. A meeting will be convened with the owners to mandate improved security systems.
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