Two days after Congress MLA M Vincent representing Kovalam constituency in Thiruvananthapuram was booked for abatement to suicide of a 51-year-old woman, the police have invoked rape charges against the MLA on Friday.
The police have decided to invoke sections 376 and 354 (d) of the Indian Penal Code against the MLA. The decision to invoke rape charges was taken after recording the statement of the woman who has been admitted to a private hospital in Neyyatinkara after consuming an overdose of blood pressure tablets.
The investigating officer Ajitha Beegum, Commissioner of Kollam, has also sought permission from the Assembly Speaker to question the MLA, a legislator of the Congress.
Ajitha Beegum confirmed to TNM that rape charge has been invoked against the MLA. "On the day he was booked abetment of suicide was invoked against him. Also, we have sought permission from the speaker to question him," she said.
The woman, who is from Balaramapuram, attempted to end her life after the MLA allegedly sexually harassed her.
The Balaramapuram police on Wednesday had charged Vincent for abetment of suicide based on the husband's statement as the woman's condition was critical.
“In the statement given by her husband, it is said that the MLA used to call the woman over the phone. Her husband had even warned him once. He had also gone to the MLA’s house and told his wife about this. But still, the MLA continued to call her,” the police had told TNM.
The investigation was initially carried out by Neyyatinkara DySP, B Harikumar. But since an MLA is accused in the case the government on Thursday appointed Ajitha Beegum to investigate the case.