David Bridges
Kochi: Perumbavoor MLA Eldhose Kunnappilly, facing charges of abduction and assault of a woman, took to Facebook claiming his innocence.
“I have not done anything illegal. The god I believe in is with me. I will obey the decision of the voters of Perumbavoor. Understand that there is no gender difference for criminals,” he wrote in his Facebook post.
Meanwhile, the police will add more charges, including sexual assault, and strengthen the case against the MLA based on a fresh statement by the complainant. At present, Kunnappilly has been booked under charges including insulting the modesty of a woman.
However, the District Crime Branch, which has taken up the case, recorded a detailed statement of the complainant on Wednesday.
MLA Eldhose’s Facebook post (originally in Malayalam):
“I have not done anything against the law. I will obey whatever the voters of Perumbavoor ask of me. Power is not an epilogue to me… The god I believe in is my support. Duplicity is not my forte. I never expected it (the issue) to reach this far. However, I will not give up. Until I die, I will live honestly and move forward. Thanks to all who have supported me and, above all, to the almighty.”
The Additional Sessions Court, Thiruvananthapuram, will hear the anticipatory bail petition moved by Kunnappilly on October 15, Saturday. Police sources said the MLA has gone off the radar, perhaps to evade arrest till his anticipatory bail application is taken up by the court.
Non-bailable sections of the Indian Penal Code, especially those relating to assault, criminal intimidation and outraging the modesty of a woman, have been slapped on Kunnappilly at present.
Cameron Steel
