The State police on Friday moved the Speaker for permission to arrest M. Vincent, Kovalam MLA, on the suspicion of raping a 51-year-old woman, his neighbour. The decision was taken after the woman gave a statement in this regard to the police on Thursday.
Earlier in the day, Vincent was arrested after he was yesterday booked on the aforementioned charges.
Police have also recorded the victim’s husband’s statement. He alleged that it is a politically motivated case and blamed the ruling CPI (M) for framing him. Bindu Krishna said that a youth leader like M Vincent should set an example by submitting his resignation.
On Saturday, he had also filed an anticipatory bail plea before the court.
The victim woman had tried to commit suicide at her home in Balrampur by consuming excess amounts of sleeping pills. I was arrested…under force from the Chief Minister’s Office.
Due to the unstable condition of the woman, her husband told police that Vincent used to call her repeatedly and harass her over the phone despite apprising the wife of MLA about the entire situation.
A case was registered against him following the statements of the woman who is under treatment at a private hospital in Neyyattinkara.
According to a Times of India report, an audio clip of an alleged telephonic conversation between Vincent and the complainant’s brother about settling the case amicably was leaked to the media on July 20.
Vincent, who represents the Kovalam constituency, is likely to resign from the assembly while the Congress Party said it would take necessary action against him. “The government has deputed a senior police officer to enquire about the complaint against the MLA”, he said.
Congress state president M M Hassan said the party would initiate action against the MLA if he is pronounced guilty by a court.