Hema Report: CPI(M) Protects Actor-Legislator Mukesh in ‘Rape’ Case

Thiruvananthapuram, August 29 (IANS) As calls for the resignation of CPI(M) lawmaker Mukesh, an actor-turned-politician, grow, the party has decided to support him, citing examples of two sitting Congress MPs who have not resigned and who have faced rape charges.

According to sources, Mukesh spoke to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and stated that he had done nothing wrong and that the complainant had blackmailed him in the past.

Veteran CPI(M) leader and ruling Left Democratic Front president EPJayarajan told the media on Thursday that those who have done wrong will not be protected. But when asked about Mukesh’s resignation, he was evasive in his answers.

“…there are two sitting Congressmen who have been caught in similar (rape) cases and what happened in those cases. Did they resign?” Jayarajan asked.

“You should appreciate the way the present Left government has approached the issue. Look, the police have also done their job by registering cases based on the complaints. Just wait and see, no offender will be protected,” the CPI(M) leader added.

Late on Wednesday night, the police filed cases against these personalities at various stations, following a complaint by a former actress alleging sexual misconduct by actors – Mukesh, Jayasurya, Maniyan Pillai Raju, Edavela Babu, two production staff – Noble and Vichu – and a Congress activist and a lawyer VS Chandrasekheran.

Mukesh is incommunicado and has not been found at home or in his native place Kollam.

This case against these seven personalities has been recorded according to the complainant, who gave her statements to the special police team. The woman IPS officer, who is leading the investigation team, said that they would examine her statement in detail.

After this lengthy declaration procedure, the cases were registered at the police stations where the exploitation had taken place.

Since the Hema Commission report was published last week, after gathering dust in Prime Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s office for almost five years.

The report was published after the Chief Information Commissioner ordered the censorship of sensitive information. The government went a step further and removed more information, drawing fierce criticism from the Congress-led opposition.

Though the names were not mentioned, trouble arose when a former actress came forward and named seven people, including Mukesh, leading to demands that he resign.

Former Union Health Minister and CPI(M) legislator and Lok Sabha member PK Sreemathi was taken for a ride when a TV channel aired a 2017 footage, shortly after Congress legislator M Vincent was arrested on suspicion of rape. Sreemathi had then vociferously demanded his immediate resignation from the legislature.

When asked a direct question on Thursday about her 2017 statement, she said she is not in a position now to give a direct answer on whether Mukesh should resign from the legislature or not.

“You have to understand that it is the present Left government that has decided to constitute a special team to investigate all the cases,” Sreemathi said.

Meanwhile, the CPI — the second-largest ally in the Vijayan-led state government — is scheduled to meet later in the day to discuss the issue. Top party leaders like Annie Raja have demanded that Mukesh resign from the legislature.