The Mannanthala police in Thiruvananthapuram have arrested a 24-year-old man for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting a Class IX student.

The police identified the accused as Manu of Pulluvila in Vizhinjam.

According to the police, the survivor and the accused became acquainted at a relative’s house, following which they stayed in touch through social media.

The accused barged into the girl’s house on May 18 when she was alone and reportedly offered her juice that was allegedly laced with sedatives. The girl subsequently lost consciousness. Upon regaining her consciousness, the survivor realised that she had been sexually assaulted and that private photographs of her had been captured on the accused’s mobile phone.

The incident came to light after the survivor’s family approached the Child Welfare Committee, following which the Mannanthala police registered a case and apprehended the accused. While the survivor raised suspicion that two people were involved in the crime, Manu has maintained during interrogation that he acted alone.

Nonetheless, the investigation team is probing the possibility of a second accused in the case.