Kerala Congress MLA M Vincent has been arrested for allegedly raping a woman. (File)

Highlights M Vincent, charged for rape, arrested in Thiruvananthapuram

Denies allegations, says being framed under a conspiracy

Woman had attempted suicide, is hospitalised

A Congress legislator from Kerala has been arrested on the charge of raping a 51-year-old woman, who attempted suicide after she was allegedly harassed by him, police said. He was arrested from Thiruvananthapuram.A case had been registered against the MLA on charges of abetment of suicide, following a complaint from the woman who had attempted suicide at Balaramapuram, police had said yesterday."A case under IPC section 376 has been registered against Congress MLA M Vincent representing the Kovalam segment, after the woman's statement was recorded at a hospital in Neyyatinkara, where she is undergoing treatment", Kollam City Police Commissioner Ajeetha Begum had said yesterday.A magistrate has recorded the victim's statement at the hospital, she said.The woman's husband had alleged that the MLA used to repeatedly call her over phone and harass her.

However, Mr Vincent had termed the charges as "baseless" and said he would face the probe. "The charges are without any facts," Mr Vincent said.Speaking to NDTV, he claimed the allegations were part of a conspiracy against him. He said the woman had called him several times for help with a different sexual assault case. He had passed on her complaints to the the local police, he said.