Kerala Congress MLA arrested on charges of rape

Vincent has remained defiant and termed the allegations baseless.

M Vincent, a Congress MLA from Kerala was arrested on charges of rape on Saturday. The Kovalam MLA was taken into custody after five hours of questioning at the MLA hostel in Thiruvananthapuram.

Vincent was taken to the Peroorkada police club after investigating authorities questioned him in connection with the case. As per procedure, Vincent was taken for a medical check up to the Neyyatinkara hospital. The MLA was produced before the magistrate who sent him to 14-day judicial custody.

A case was registered against the legislator after a woman attempted suicide alleging sexual harassment by him. Kovalam MLA Vincent was booked on charges of stalking, abetment to suicide and rape on Friday. Vincent was booked under sections 376 and 354 (d) after a 51-year-old woman told the police that she attempted suicide by consuming sleeping pills after being harassed by Vincent. The Balaramapuram police booked the MLA after the victim's husband alleged that Vincent harassed her by making repeated phone calls and issuing threats.

"A case under IPC section 376 has been registered against Congress MLA M Vincent representing the Kovalam segment, after the woman's statement was recorded at a hospital in Neyyatinkara, where she is undergoing treatment", Kollam City Police Commissioner Ajeetha Begum, who is heading the probe had said on Friday.

Vincent had remained defiant and termed the allegations baseless. The Kerala Speaker had sought a fair investigation in the case and told the police that no special permission was required to take any action.

OneIndia News