THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala on Saturday joined the chorus for instituting a case against former Speaker and CPM Thrissur District Secretary K Radhakrishnan for revealing the name of the gangrape victim and her husband.
He also demanded the arrest of ousted CPM Area secretary of Kalamaserry Zakir Hussain, who is accused of kidnapping a Kochi-based industrialist and extorting money.
“Revealing the name of a rape survivor is a crime under IPC Section 228 (a). Radhakrishnan’s remarks are also in contravention of Supreme Court directives and the basic courtesy, which should be shown to such victims. Moreover, his stand that there is nothing wrong in revealing the victim’s name when an accused is named is curious,” he said.
It was shocking that a former Speaker, who should uphold the highest standards in public life, spoke in such a fashion, Chennithala said. He said Radhakrishnan’s remarks proved that CPM’s promise of taking stern measures against party men involved in the gangrape were hollow.
He also sought stern action against cops who thrashed Youth Congress activists in Thrissur during a protest march against the incident.
On Zakir Hussain, Chennithala blamed the police for trying to save the CPM leader accused in a kidnap case. “Without tracing Zakir and recording his arrest, police facilitated to move an anticipatory bail plea. Now that th plea has been rejected, he should be arrested,” he added.