Kerala CPI(M) suspends councillor Jayanthan facing rape charges

KOCHI: Stung by the allegations of sexual exploitation and goonda activities by some of its district-level leaders, the ruling CPM decided to wield the sword of discipline against its erring workers.

CPM has suspended Jayanthan, the party councillor in Vadakkancherry, who is facing charges of sexual exploitation, from the primary membership.

A Thrissurstep based woman had alleged that Jayanthan along with three others had raped her. Another party member Bineesh involved in the case has also been suspended. CPM district president Radhakrishnan said if charges are proved at the completion of the inquiry there will be further action against the accused.

He said apart from the police inquiry there will be a partylevel inquiry. He added that there were complaints against the woman who raised the allegations.

In Ernakulam, the CPM member Zakkir Hussain, whose alleged involvement in the kidnapping of an industrialist, has been asked to step aside from the post of area secretary until the investigation against him is over.

CPM district secretary P Rajiv said the party will take further disciplinary action against him if the charges against him are proved correct.

Meanwhile, the government decided not to support the bail plea of Zakkir Hussain in the court. Earlier in the morning, the Congress-led opposition staged a walkout in the assembly alleging that the ruling party is protecting the accused in the case.