23-year-old in preventive detention under Kaapa

Kochi: A 23-year-old youth, accused in numerous theft cases, has been moved to preventive detention under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (Kaapa).

The Act has been invoked against Alvin Babu, 23, of Churamudi, Vengoor. He has been moved to detention in Viyyur central jail under Kaapa.

The order regarding the detention was issued by district collector NSK Umesh based on a report by district police chief (Ernakulam rural) Vaibhav Saxena.

According to the police, over the past three years, Babu has been involved in 12 cases of theft, intimidation and trespassing within the limits of Kodanad, Kuruppampady, Kalady, Kunnathunad and Kottappady police stations.

This year, he committed thefts at places of worship, including Neelamkulangara Temple in Kalady, St Mary's Jacobite Church in Nedungapra, Thrikkalathoor Sreeramaswami Temple in Airapuram and St Mary's Jacobite Church in Parayathmugal. The action under Kaapa was taken following his arrest in these cases. The arrest was made by a team led by Kodanad police inspector GP Manu Raj, including SI KP Eldho and CPO Boby Elias.