The Congress old-hand O M George has surrendered before Manandavady’s deputy superintendent of police Kuberan Namboothiri in a case regarding the sexual assault of a 17-year-old Adivasi girl several times in a span of two years. A case had been registered under sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act against the district Congress committee (DCC) member O M George.

The incident came to the fore after the victim tried to commit suicide. Following it, the Childline activists assured that the victim was safeguarded and informed the police of the development. The victim’s relatives have alleged that the police didn’t heed their complaints and showed no interest in arresting the culprit. They have also accused the police of seeking to settle the case by bribing the victim and her family.

Owing to police’s callous response, the victim’s mother proclaimed of going on a hunger strike in front of the police station to protest against the “inaction and disinterest of the police in daughter’s assault case”. The incident provoked George to surrender.

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Mullappally Ramachandran has announced George’s suspension from the party. The DCC president of the Sulthan Bathery constituency assured strict action against George if he is found guilty. George had reportedly tried to settle the matter with police but to no avail. He was absconding since the incident came to light but has now surrendered himself.

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While Rahul Gandhi waxes eloquence about ‘women empowerment’, his own party members are found guilty of serious offences undermining the modesty of women. This is not the first time that such appalling incidents have emerged involving Congress office-bearers. A former Kerala Chief Minister from Congress was named in a rape case in October 2018 and youth congress workers were accused of molestation during the Kathua and Unnao rape protests, among several other cases.