Kerala legislator accused of rape

AP Abdullakutty, who represents Kannur, has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Thiruvananthapuram.

The complainant is linked to a scam over which Chief Minister Chandy's (centre) aide was arrested [File: EPA]

A Congress legislator in the southern Indian state of Kerala has been accused of rape by the police, local media has reported.

AP Abdullakutty, who represents Kannur in the state legislature, has been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel in Thiruvananthapuram, NDTV reported, adding that a case had been filed on Tuesday.

She has also alleged that the politician, who is 46, threatened her against disclosing what had happened.

The Congress leader has denied the charges. “I have several things to reveal myself. I will do it at the right time. These are attempts made to defame me and the party for no reason,” he said.

The woman who has alleged rape is linked to a financial scandal that has dogged the Congress-led coalition government in the state over the last year.

The alleged scam involves a couple who duped companies into investing in solar power units that were never delivered.

A personal aide of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was arrested in connection with the scam.

Source: News Agencies