Former Kerala Minister Jose Thettayil, presently an lDF MlA of the Janata Dal(S), against whom a sex abuse case was registered with non-bailable charges the other day, began a bid to avoid arrest even as allegation of sexual abuse came up on Monday against AT George, Congress MlA from Parassala in Thiruvananthapuram district.
Thettayil was expected to resign as MlA on Monday but the resignation could now be delayed as he is preparing to file an anticipatory bail plea in the Kerala High Court. lawyers have reportedly advised him not to resign hurriedly as it would deprive him of the protection, the position of MlA gives him.
A case of sexual abuse was registered against him on Sunday after a 30-year-old woman, an MCA, complained to the police that Thettayil, now 63, and his son Adarsh (26) had been abusing her sexually for the past two years. The woman, known to Thettayil for several years, had also submitted webcam-grabbed video clippings to support her allegation.
As per reports, lawyers advising Thettayil have told him that though the police have registered the case under non-bailable sections, rape charge would not be legally maintainable as the abuse had occurred as per mutual consent. The woman belongs to Manjapra falling in the Angamaly constituency which Thettayil represents in the Assembly.
Kerala’s CPI(M)-led Opposition lDF, in which the JD(S) is a major partner, which has already come to a decision that Thettayil’s resignation is unavoidable, has adopted a position that his party could take the final decision on this. The lDF, which was to hold a leadership meeting on the matter on Monday, put it off to Tuesday.
The central leadership of the JD(S) has asked its Kerala unit for a detailed report on the allegation against Thettayil. The central leadership is expected to clear the resignation. The State unit of the Janata Dal (S) is of the feeling that the sex abuse charge against Thettayil is part of a political conspiracy.
The woman’s complaint to the police said that Adarsh had sexually abused her several times on the pretext of marrying her. After a while, he withdrew, she said, adding that Thettayil abused her when she approached him to speak with him about his son’s treachery.
On Monday, the police visited the woman’s house and recorded her statement. They also examined the flat of the woman in Aluva near Kochi where, according to her, Thettayil had abused her. Meanwhile, a woman in Prassala submitted a complaint to CM Oommen Chandy, Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan, Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan and the State DGP saying that Congress MlA AT George had sexually abused her several times after making false promises to her.