A 53-year-old US citizen of Odisha origin was reportedly assaulted and robbed of cash and valuables worth over ₹3.1 lakh by two men at a hotel on Marine Drive in Kochi, police said. The Ernakulam Central Police have arrested two suspects in connection with the incident.
The victim, who was in Kochi on an official visit to discuss the launch of an IT firm at Infopark, Kakkanad, had checked into a hotel on Shanmugham Road on Saturday evening. According to police, he met the accused by chance on December 13, a dry day when liquor sales were banned due to vote counting.
Police said one of the accused, identified as Adarsh from Mulanthuruthy, befriended the man after noticing his efforts to procure alcohol. The three went to the victim’s room, consumed alcohol, and Adarsh stayed there overnight.
The next morning, Akash from Palluruthy allegedly arrived at the hotel and, with Adarsh’s help, forced their way inside. They dragged the man into the washroom, threatened and assaulted him, and forced him to transfer ₹75,000 via PhonePe to three mobile numbers. The suspects also withdrew ₹40,000 using the victim’s ATM card.
In addition, the accused are said to have taken $500 in cash, ₹15,000 in Indian currency, and a gold ring weighing about 10 grams, bringing the estimated value of stolen property to ₹3,10,290.
Following a complaint, the police registered a case and traced Adarsh to a lodge in Maradu, where he was apprehended after attempting to flee. Akash was later arrested in Kumbalangi based on information provided by Adarsh.
Both men have been charged with criminal conspiracy, wrongful confinement, robbery and causing hurt, and are currently in judicial custody. Investigations are ongoing to recover the stolen money and valuables.
