MPs in Rajya Sabha express concern over rape-murder in Kerala

New Delhi, May 4: With several members in Rajya Sabha demanding "exemplary punishment" for the culprits in the rape and murder of a Dalit woman in Kerala, Social Justice Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot on Wednesday said he will visit the village of the rape victim tomorrow.

During the Zero Hour, C P Narayanan of CPI(M) raised the issue of the rape and murder in Ernakulam district of Kerala on April 28, terming it as a "dastardly attack" similar to that of the Nirbhaya incident in Delhi.

He drew the House's attention that similar rape incidents occured in Kasargod last week and in Thiruvananthapuram yesterday adding "it is a black mark. Police is not very active in apprehending the culprits."

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien said: "It is a very, very heinous crime. Most shameful for every Keralite." Several members associated themselves with the issue and demanded strict action against the culprits, with Tarun Vijay of BJP demandiing that a team should visit the state.

Responding the anguish expressed by members, Gehlot told them that he would visit the state tomorrow and meet the victim's family. "I will go to Kerala tomorrow and meet the family of the girl. I will help them in getting justice," he added.

Vijay, who had raised the issue as soon as the House met, said it was a repeat of the Nirbhaya case and the Kerala government has "completely failed" to control such incidences. "God's own country" should not turn into a rapist country, he added.

D Raja (CPI) drew attention of the government towards the attrocities committed against Dalits across the country, adding that legislations have proved to be of no help. S C Mishra (BSP) said that attrocities were happenning across India.

"The House is concerned. Stringent action should be taken and exemplary punishment given. Do everything possible so that such incidents do not happen," Kurien said.

Parliamentary Affairs Ministers Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the incident of rape and murder had crossed all limits and was inhuman.

PTI