Thiruvananthapuram: The legal noose tightened around Perumbavoor legislator Eldhose Kunnappilly with the addition of murder and defamation charges in connection with the earlier assault case filed by a woman.
The development came following the woman's statement that Eldhose tried to push her off a clip during a quarrel.
She also accused Eldhose of spreading fake news about her.
In her complaint, she alleges that the lawmaker had paid several online media portals to cook up false narratives about her in an effort to tarnish her image and thwart the case.
She also claims to have proof of the accused having transferred the money for this purpose.
Recently, rape charges were also slapped against Eldhose on the same woman's allegations.
Crime Branch has decided to slap the additional charges to strengthen their case against Eldhose, who has been on the lam for the past eight days.
His party, Congress, too has directed him to offer an explanation as to what had transpired before October 20, the day his anticipatory bail will be heard.
It warned him that strict action will be taken if no convincing explanation is given before then.
Suggestions were also put forward in the party to see the disgraced legislator, who does not hold any posts, expelled.
Eldhose's defence
However, Eldhose's lawyer maintains that he is a victim of political rivalry and that the whole complaint is a fabricated one.
"The complainant has a habit of snaring individuals by filing false cases against them," the lawyer said.
The case
It was on September 28 that the woman filed an assault complaint against Eldhose. However, the registration of the case was delayed as Eldhose and even the police, as the woman claims, tried to settle the case.
She alleges that Eldhose had at one point even offered her Rs 30 lakh to withdraw the complaint, but she stuck to it.
According to her complaint, a drunk Eldhose came uninvited to her house near Kovalam and thrashed her.
She alleged that later, on the same day, Eldhose took her to the capital city and harmed her.
Eldhose has filed for anticipatory bail. It will be heard by the Additional Sessions Court on October 20.
Following the woman's allegation that the police had stalled the case, the Circle Inspector was transferred and the case was finally handed over to the Crime Branch.
