Cong suspends MLA from party post, Family says he is innocent

Congress MLA M Vicent, arrested on charges of rape and abetment to suicide, was today suspended as the secretary of party's state unit, which, defended him terming the case as "politically motivated."
"Though the rape charges and the arrest are part of a political conspiracy, considering the complaint of the woman, the Congress has decided to suspend Vincent from the party's secretary post," Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president M M Hassan told reporters here.
The MLA would stand divested of the party post till his innocence in the case was proved, Hassan said, adding, Vincent had told the party that he was confident that he would be able to get exonerated by the court.

Vincent, representing Kovalam segment in the assembly, was arrested yesterday on charges of rape and abetment to suicide under IPC sections 376 and 306 respectively and remanded to 14 days judicial custody by a court.
The MLA's wife Subha today rallied behind her husband, alleging it was a politically motivated case and the family would fight it legally.
"There is a conspiracy behind the case and the arrest. The complainant woman had called me also several times and asked to give the phone to my husband. We are sure that truth will come out. Me and my family stand by him (Vincent)," she told TV channels.

She also alleged that some local CPI(M) leaders were behind the conspiracy that led to Vincent's arrest.

The victim's family members on their part came up with contrasting opinions on the case.
While the woman's brother defended the allegations against the MLA, her sister said she believed that it was politically motivated one and the charges were 'unbelievable'.
Hassan also rejected the CPIM's demand for resignation of Vincent as MLA, saying there was no need for it as of now.
"Party will take a call on that if he is declared guilty by the court," the KPCC chief said.
Terming Vincent's arrest as an 'unusual step,' Hassan wanted the police to probe the conspiracy too behind the whole episode.

"The (abetment to suicide) charges against the MLA were converted into rape following political pressure exerted by local CPI(M) MLA K Ansalan and some of its local leaders," he alleged.
Claiming that the case and further steps against Vincent were taken in 'a haste,' Hassan said the CPI(M)-led LDF government had not taken any action against its worker in Vadakancherry and NCP MLA A K Saseendhran who were facing sexual harassment complaint by women.
The CPI(M) rubbished the Congress charge of a political conspiracy behind the arrest of Vincent and said action had been taken as per the law.
CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the MLA was charged and arrested on the basis of the deposition of the victim, which was very important in such cases.

"I failed to understand the logic behind the Congress party's charge that the case is part of a political conspiracy," he said.
The LDF government was committed to protecting women from any atrocity and would take stern action against persons who indulge in crime against women, he said.
Vincent was arrested after the incident came to light on July 19 as the 51-year- old woman attempted to commit suicide by consuming an overdose of sleeping pills and her husband filed a police complaint against the MLA.
The police had questioned Vincent for over three hours at the MLA's hostel here yesterday after which he was arrested.