Indian politician booked for rape

KERALA - An Indian politician has been booked on the charge of rape based on a statement given by a 51-year-old woman, who attempted suicide nearby Balaramapuram after she was allegedly harassed by him, according to Indian media.

A case was registered on Thursday against Congress MLA M Vincent on charges of stalking, rape and abetting suicide after the woman's husband alleged that his wife tried to end her life by overdosing on sleeping pills as she was allegedly sexually harassed by the Kovalam MLA.

According to Indian Express, the city magistrate also recorded her statement at a hospital in Neyyatinkara, where she is undergoing treatment. Vincent, however, alleged that there was a “political conspiracy” behind the allegation against him and filed a complaint with police, demanding a detailed probe into the matter.

He claimed that a CPI(M) local leader was present at the woman’s house when she attempted suicide by consuming sleeping pills. Her brother is also a Marxist activist.

The woman, a mother of two, is under treatment and still in the ICU at the private hospital and her medical examination will be held on Friday, News18 reported.