Police on Tuesday detained three suspects in connection with the alleged rape and murder of a law student in India’s Southern State of Kerala.
Her brutal death had triggered outrage across the country.
The 30-year-old woman, who belonged to India’s lowest-ranked Dalit caste, was found dead in her home in the City of Ernakulam on Thursday with signs of strangling and about 30 stab wounds on her body.
The attack was so severe that the victim’s intestines were exposed.
Kerala Home Minister, Ramesh Chennithala said that police had filed a case of rape and murder and were awaiting autopsy reports.
“Today, three people have been taken into custody and are being interrogated. Investigations are headed in the right direction,’’ the minister said.
Chennithala brushed aside allegations of police inaction after no formal arrests had been made five days after the crime.
“It is a brutal murder, a combination of strangling, smothering and inflicting injuries, nobody has seen the accused, some witnesses have heard the commotion, but the versions are rather vague.
“Police are working hard and we will book all culprits. I can promise there will be no laxity on this,’’ Senior Police Officer, Mahipal Yadav told newsmen.
Groups of female activists marched through Kerala to protest the crime, comparing it to the gang rape and murder of a 23-year-old student in Delhi in December 2012 that sparked a massive outcry.
India introduced tougher anti-rape laws after the Delhi case as attacks on women, including sexual violence, came into public focus.
However, activists noted that little had changed in attitudes towards sexual assault, as attacks on women and girls continued unabated. (dpa/NAN)