Published Feb 09, 2026 | 3:09 PM ⚊ Updated Feb 09, 2026 | 3:09 PM
Sexual assault. Representational Image. (iStock)
Synopsis: The incident occurred on the afternoon of February 1, when a young woman employed at a spa in Thiruvalla was allegedly gang-raped. Police sources said the accused had demanded money from the spa and attacked the woman after the demand was not met. The incident has triggered widespread protests in Thiruvalla, with allegations that extortion by criminal gangs and alleged police patronage of unethical spa operations may have emboldened the attackers.
Thiruvalla police on Monday, 9 February, morning arrested one more accused in connection with the spa gang rape case.
The arrested person has been identified as Varun, a resident of Niranam.
Police said he was taken into custody during an early morning operation. Efforts are continuing to trace and arrest the remaining accused.
“There are six accused in the case. We have arrested four of them, including Subin. Two of the arrested persons have been remanded to judicial custody, while two others are in custody for questioning,” an officer from Thiruvalla PS told South First, on Friday, 6 February.
According to Thiruvalla police, the main accused, Subin Alexander who is booked under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA), and his associates had been threatening the spa management for some time, demanding ₹50,000 as protection money.
A day after arrests in the spa employee gang rape, the owner Sanjay has alleged that the gangrape of an employee at a spa in Thiruvalla was carried out as part of a conspiracy to destroy his business.
He claimed that the assault was executed based on a “quotation” given by another spa owner and alleged the existence of an unholy nexus between certain police officials and criminal gangs.
Meanwhile, a special investigation team has also been formed under the leadership of the Thiruvalla Deputy Superintendent of Police to investigate the gang rape as well as the alleged misconduct by police officials.
Sanjay alleged that despite approaching the police, his statement has not yet been recorded. He also announced that he would file a separate complaint with the police detailing his allegations.
Meanwhile, the police have initiated an internal inquiry into the handling of the case following serious allegations of lapses in the investigation and possible collusion between police personnel and spa-related criminal networks.
The inquiry has reportedly been ordered at a high level. There are allegations that some police personnel attached to the Thiruvalla station receive monthly payments from spa centres and that certain officers are regular visitors to spas, including unlicensed establishments.
These claims will also come under the scope of the probe.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of February 1, when a young woman employed at a spa in Thiruvalla was allegedly gang-raped.
Police sources said the accused had demanded money from the spa and attacked the woman after the demand was not met.
The incident has triggered widespread protests in Thiruvalla, with allegations that extortion by criminal gangs and alleged police patronage of unethical spa operations may have emboldened the attackers.
There is growing suspicion that the alleged nexus may extend to higher-ranking officials as well.
Investigations into both the crime and the related allegations are currently underway.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Sreelakshmi Soman)
