A college student accused a functionary of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) of sexually assaulting her in Tamil Nadu’s Kanniyakumari district. A day later, she requested to withdraw her complaint and sought no action against the accused, sparking allegations of intimidation.
Police confirmed that no arrest has been made in the case and the probe is underway. On Thursday, the survivor and her college friend were waiting for a bus while it rained heavily when the accused, identified as Christopher, stopped his car and offered them a ride. He knew the friend. After the friend got down first, the accused offered the survivor to drop her at her home. The development sparked allegations that the ruling party’s functionaries used money, power and intimidation to influence the survivor and prevent action against the accused. These allegations have not been independently established. She also demanded protection for the survivor and impartial legal action against the accused, warning that if the government failed to act, the DMK would join people in a democratic protest.
During the ride, the accused allegedly misbehaved with and sexually assaulted the survivor, said police. “We immediately registered a complaint of sexual assault, recording whatever she had said in her complaint,” a senior police officer told NDTV. However, the case took a turn a day later when the survivor submitted a written request seeking withdrawal of her complaint and asking that “no action be taken against him”, police said. Asked specifically about the possibility of a financial settlement, the senior police officer told NDTV, “Police would not be aware of any such settlement or understanding outside their purview”.
TVK leaders and spokespersons refrained from commenting on the allegations. We have nothing to say if the survivor wants to withdraw the case. The party will take strict action against the accused and we have done it in the past”.
However, a party leader said on condition of anonymity, “The law will certainly take its course.
