The Hindu : One held for attack on Austrian tourist

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 07, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Kerala-Thiruvananthapuram

One held for attack on Austrian tourist

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM March 6. The Varkala police have arrested a 28-year-old youth in connection with the attack on a 51-year-old Austrian tourist, Herbert Scuffler, at Papanasam beach resort on December 13, 2002.

The accused was identified as Jani Ali, a Gulf-returnee, wanted in a similar assault case at Varakala in 2002. He was produced before the Attingal court and remanded to 14 days in judicial custody. The Circle Inspector (Varkala), Baiju, said that the Austrian tourist had identified Jani as one of his assailants. Mr. Baiju said Jani was also wanted in connection with the brutal assault on one Prasannakumar, a Gulf returnee, in Varkala.

The CI said that Jani had worked with Prasannakumar in the Gulf and had lost his job after his employers came to know that he was accused in a theft case registered in Varkala. He said that Jani, who has criminal antecedents, had attacked Prasannakumar with a sword.

Police said they were looking for four more persons in connection with the assault on the foreign tourist. Mr. Herbert was grievously injured when a four-member armed gang assaulted him at his house on December 12 night. On the basis of his complaint, the police registered a case of grievous hurt, criminal trespass, violation of the Arms Act and rioting.

The police also questioned a lawyer and his wife, against whom Mr. Herbert is fighting a civil case over the ownership of a disputed property at the Attingal court, in connection with the attack. However, officials said it was too early to state whether the lawyer had any connection with the attack on the tourist.

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