Please don't protect a paedophile just because he's CPM: Satheesan to CM

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday assured Opposition Leader V D Satheesan in the Assembly that a CPM member accused in the sexual abuse of a four-year-old girl would not be protected by the party. “Even if anyone tried to protect him, the police will nab him and impose on him the maximum punishment possible,” the Chief Minister said.

It was as the first Submission of the day that the Opposition Leader raised the issue of child abuse that took place in his constituency. “This four-year-old child was subjected to brutal abuse and the police has registered a case. But the CPM area and district committees are protecting this man,” Satheesan said. “Please tell the party leaders not to protect this criminal. The victim is from a poor family. It was the worst form of abuse that was inflicted on this child and I don’t want to give the details inside this House. I will talk to the Chief Minister in person,” Satheesan said, and asked: “Is it right to protect a criminal just because he belongs to the CPM.”

The Chief Minister said the Opposition Leader’s concern was justified but said that Satheesan had attempted to “slightly politicise” the issue. “By politicising I mean the portion about someone trying to protect the accused,” the CM said. “No one will protect the accused,” the CM assured the House.

The case has been registered under POCSO Act in Chengamanad Police Station. The victim had already made a statement before the Aluva Judicial Magistrate. On the basis of this more POCSO sections have been slapped, the CM informed the House.

At the moment, the accused, Subramaniam, is absconding. “The phone numbers of the accused and his relatives are being tracked. No protection whatsoever will be extended to the accused,” the CM said.