Kerala: Police slap non-bailable charges against Congress MLA Eldhose Kunnappilly for molesting woman

After registering the case on Tuesday evening following a court directive, the Kovalam police handed it over to the Thiruvananthapuram district unit of the crime branch police.

The complainant, a native of Aluva near Kochi who teaches at a private school in Thiruvananthapuram, gave a detailed statement before the Kovalam police on Tuesday, which apparently involved details of the repeated attempts the MLA made to settle the case by offering her money.

The allegations

The woman said in her complaint that she was in a relationship with the MLA, and they went to Kovalam together on 14 September.

He allegedly beat her up in a moving vehicle between Kovalam junction and the beach when she started an altercation over his other relationships and alcoholism.

Congress leader Eldhose Kunnappilly MLA (South First)

Kovalam sub-inspector P Praiju told South First when contacted that the recording of the statement of the complainant was not completed on Tuesday as she collapsed during the recording process.

She was subsequently admitted to a local hospital.

The sub-inspector added that the police are now making an effort to determine the whereabouts of the MLA, who is absconding.

Though she was reportedly subjected to the assault on 14 September, the woman complained to the Thiruvananthapuram City Police Commissioner only on 28 September.

The commissioner then handed over the case to the Kovalam police.

According to the complainant, the circle inspector of Kovalam attempted to settle the case outside the court by forcing her to accept ₹30 lakh from the MLA.

She also claimed that the MLA threatened her lawyer and some people helping her, warning them against giving her any help.

Fresh twist

The controversy took a new turn on 9 October when a friend of the complainant approached the Vanchiyoor Police Station in the city seeking steps to trace her as she had been missing for over a week.

When the woman appeared at the Vanchiyoor station, the police produced her before the local first-class judicial magistrate.

Eldho Kunnappilly with senior Congress leaders. (South First)

She told the court that she had gone into hiding, fearing threats from the MLA and his musclemen.

She accused Eldhose of exploiting her mentally and physically at multiple locations on different dates.

She also told police that Elodhose caused her bodily harm and showered abuse.

Till recently, the complainant was handling the social media accounts of Eldhose.

Senior Congress leaders contacted by South First sought time to react over the issue.

They said appropriate action would be taken if the police proved the charges.

KPCC president K Sudhakaran will reach Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday to discuss the issue with Opposition leader VD Satheesan.