MLA Vincent sent to one-day police custody, says he was framed by CPM

Congress leader and Kovalam MLA M Vincent, arrested on charges of raping a woman, was sent to one-day police custody on Tuesday. 

Speaking to reporters outside a court in Thiruvananthapuram, Vincent - who has been charged with rape, stalking and abetment of suicide - blamed the CPM for the indictment and insisted that he was framed.

"I am the prey of the CPM's conspiracy. CPM's Thiruvananthapuram district secretary and the Neyyattinkara legislator are behind this. I have done no wrong," the Congress MLA said.

Congress MLA Vincent suspended from party after rape charges

Vincent's bail plea will be heard by the court on Wednesday. 

Meanwhile, the Congress-led UDF has backed Vincent, saying the case against him was politically motivated. The party had suspendeded him from the secretary post on July 23 but chose to defend him on Tuesday. 

"UDF's assumption is that Congress MLA Vincent, against whom the charge has been made, has not done anything wrong and the complaint of the woman in this regard is false," UDF convener PP Thankachan told reporters. 

Congress MLA Vincent arrested over alleged rape, police find he called victim 900 times

Vincent has been accused of raping a 51-year-old woman, who attempted to commit suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills. After a complaint from the woman's husband, the police questioned the Congress MLA for over three hours at the MLA hostel on July 22 after which he was arrested. Vincent was then remanded to a 14-day judicial custody.

• M Vincent