Kovalam MLA M Vincent raped woman twice, cops say

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kovalam MLA M. Vincent had sexually assaulted the homemaker  twice, according to the police.    The remand report filed by the police at the Neyyatinkara magistrate court on Saturday said that there was evidence  showing that the MLA had raped  the woman on September 10 and November 11. The phone call records and tower locations were crucial supporting evidence. This comes amidst the support extended to the MLA  by  Congress leaders, including former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, and the protest launched by  a  group of women, including Congress activists,  against the  woman who raised the rape allegations.

Mr. Chandy, who called on Mr Vincent's family on Monday,  alleged that there was a conspiracy behind the case and that Mr Vincent was not  given the consideration extended to even an ordinary person. A group of women protested against the woman, who was discharged from hospital on Monday. Attempts were also made to throw rotten eggs at her. Subsequently, she was given police protection. The traffic along Balaramapuram-Vizhinjam stretch was affected for over two hours in the evening owing to the protest.

Meanwhile, the court will consider a request of the investigation team for a five-day custody of Mr Vincent for gathering more evidence on Tuesday. The court will consider his bail application  also on Tuesday. Though the petition was scheduled to be considered on Monday, Mr Vincent's lawyer informed that he did not get any details of the case from the police. Subsequently, the court ordered the police to give the details to the lawyer. The court also directed that Mr Vincent should be produced in the court on Tuesday.