A 20-year-old university student detained over allegations of kidnapping and raping a 16-year-old girl has reportedly demanded special treatment while in police custody, including pizza, premium food and a thicker mattress.
The suspect, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), is also alleged to have refused to cooperate with investigators by declining to be questioned and withholding the password to his mobile phone.
A police source from Hudkeshwar police station said the suspect’s refusal to provide access to his phone had complicated efforts to obtain digital evidence linked to the case.
The suspect initially refused to undergo a medical examination and treatment before being taken for an examination against his wishes on Tuesday.
A senior police officer said the suspect had repeatedly made various demands while being held in custody, including complaints about the condition of the lock-up and requests for additional comforts.
“He complained that the lock-up walls were dirty, the toilet smelled, and he could not sleep because of mosquito bites. He also demanded a thicker mattress or cushion and for an insect repellent to be installed immediately,” the officer was quoted as saying.
According to the police source, the suspect also frequently argued with investigators and allegedly blamed the victim for the sexual acts he was accused of committing.
On Tuesday, the suspect made several allegations against police before a special court, claiming that 70,000 rupees (RM3,000) in cash had been stolen from his rented home, that he had been assaulted by police officers and that his spectacles and shoes had not been returned.
Police have denied the allegations, while investigators believe the suspect may have attempted to injure himself to support his claims of mistreatment by authorities.
Hudkeshwar police station chief Senior Inspector Anamika Mirzapure said officers had provided the suspect with basic necessities throughout his detention.
“If a suspect demands luxury, a more comfortable bed or better food and continues to question everything, we cannot fulfil such demands.
“The suspect is deliberately delaying the investigation and refusing to cooperate. We have continued to provide counselling to him,” she said.
Mirzapure added that police were closely monitoring the suspect to prevent any attempt to harm himself while investigations into the case continued.
