World · South & Central Asia · 2 hrs ago
Man arrested in Kochi over alleged rape and blackmail of transwoman
Police in Kochi arrested a 21-year-old man over the alleged rape and blackmail of a transwoman.
The man, from Tanur in Malappuram district, is accused of having befriended her through social media.
Police say the alleged assault happened in July, and that he recorded videos.
They accuse him of threatening to share the videos online unless the woman paid him.
He allegedly extorted ₹1.18 lakh from her.
Police said he had been out on bail in a separate case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
A court remanded him in custody for 14 days; the allegations have not been proven in court.
Palarivattom police arrested a 21-year-old man over the alleged rape and blackmail of a transwoman.
Police identified the arrested man as Muhammed Shafil of Tanur, Malappuram.
He is accused of recording visuals and demanding ₹1.18 lakh by threatening to circulate them on social media.
The alleged incident occurred in July after he reportedly befriended the survivor through social media.
A court remanded him in judicial custody for 14 days.
- Who
- Muhammed Shafil, a 21-year-old man, and a transwoman survivor.
- What
- Shafil was arrested on allegations of rape, recording visuals and blackmailing the survivor.
- When
- The alleged incident occurred in July 2026; police arrested him on October 4, 2026.
- Where
- Kochi, Kerala. Shafil is from Tanur, Malappuram.
- Why
- He is accused of demanding ₹1.18 lakh by threatening to circulate recorded visuals on social media.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The alleged incident occurred.
Palarivattom police arrested Shafil.
The Ernakulam Judicial First Class Magistrate Court remanded him in judicial custody for 14 days.
- Arrested man
- Muhammed Shafil
- Age
- 21
- Alleged amount demanded
- ₹1.18 lakh
- Arrest date
- October 4, 2026
- Court order
- 14 days in judicial custody