Kochi: Woman confined in flat, brutally assaulted by live-in partner; spine-chilling deets

In an incident reported from Kochi’s Marine Drive, a woman was allegedly locked inside an apartment by her live-in partner and was subjected to physical and mental torture by him.

The victim, who was a fashion designer, was allegedly constricted to the house from 20th February to 8th March. During this time, the victim was repeatedly raped, assaulted and threatened by the accused.

The accused was identified as Martin Joseph. Joseph was a resident from Puttekkara in Thrissur and works as a businessman. Photographs of the victim's severely bruised back were extensively making rounds on social media.

The accused allegedly beat up the woman with a belt, poured hot water mixed with chilli powder on her and repeatedly raped her. After the incident became known, the Ernakulam Central police registered an FIR against Joseph and produced him before the Judicial First Class Magistrate on 8th April.

According to the woman, she had been living with the accused since 15th February, 2020. At first they stayed at a flat in Kadavanthra but later shifted to Marine Drive, The New Indian Express reported. The accused asked the woman to invest Rs 5 lakh in the stock market, where he did his business and promised her a monthly return of Rs 40,000.

However, The accused was not able to return the money. Earlier, the accused abused the woman and threatened to kill her. In December last year, the woman left the house but returned later. From February 20 to March 8, the woman was locked inside the house and allegedly thrashed. The accused took bare pictures of the woman and threatened to send them to her parents.

On 18th May, the Additional Sessions Court, Ernakulam rejected the accused's anticipatory bail plea. On May 27, the accused filed for a plea before the Kerala High Court and the hearing of the same was adjourned to June 8.

On June 8, the court asked for the prosecutor's views and adjourned the hearing to 11th June.

Also Read: BJP leader's daughter found hanging from tree with eye gouged out