L Christopher, a member of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) central district executive committee in Kanyakumari, was booked on Oct 24 after a college student alleged sexual assault during a car ride in the district.
The incident occurred on Wednesday evening when the student and a friend were waiting for a bus after college in Nagercoil. Christopher, who reportedly knew the friend, offered them a lift. He dropped the friend at Moolachel and continued towards Kulasekaram with the student. While the vehicle was stopped in heavy rain, the student says Christopher sexually harassed her.
Following the episode, the student informed her family and filed a complaint at Kotticode police station. The case was later transferred to Thuckalay police for further investigation and registered under Sections 75(1) and 75(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which address sexual harassment offences. Police have not made an arrest and continue to search for the accused, who is reported to be absconding.
In a written request, the student later asked for the complaint to be withdrawn and for no action to be taken against Christopher. Allegations of intimidation surrounding the request have emerged, but no independent verification is available.
Opposition parties reacted swiftly. DMK MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi questioned Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on the steps that will be taken against the accused and demanded protection for the student. She warned that the DMK would join democratic protests if the matter is not addressed promptly. AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami also condemned the incident, urging legal action without political interference and critiquing the government’s proposed women safety measures such as the Singappen Pen Athiradi Padai.
The controversy adds to earlier accusations against TVK members and intensifies calls for the party leadership to clarify its stance on women safety and accountability.
Image: daijiworld.com
📰 Source: Daijiworld