Case booked against four UDF MLAs

Thiruvananthapuram: The judicial first class magistrate’s court here on Saturday  registered a case against four  UDF MLAs in connection with the ruckus in  the state Assembly on March 13.

The court has asked the  MLAs-- Sivadasan Nair, Dominic Presentation, A.T. George and M.A. Wahid--to appear before it on April 20, 2016.

The case was registered against  Mr  Sivadasan Nair and Mr Dominic Presentation on the basis of LDF MLA Jameela Prakasham’s complaint of their misbehaviour.  She also said that she had bitten Mr Nair in retaliation.  

The complaint against Mr A.T. George and Mr M.A. Wahid was filed by  LDF MLA K.K. Lathika.

The cases are under IPC 354 for assault  or criminal force on a woman with intent to outrage her modesty and under IPC 341 for wrongfully restraining any person.

Those held guilty under IPC 341 can be punished with simple imprisonment for  one month  or with fine up to Rs 500 while those found guilty under  IPC 354 on first conviction can be jailed for a term which can extend to three years with fine.

Prior permission of the Speaker is not needed to  register  cases against  MLAs and they can be arrested if found guilty if the Assembly is  not in session.

Ms  Prakasham and  Ms Lathika had field their complaints in the court  stating that though they had complained to the police  and  the Speaker’s office,  no action was taken.

The court has taken cognizance of the complaints, recorded the statements of the MLAs  and admitted  the video CD of the day’s proceeding as evidence before registering the case.

Ms Prakasham told DC  that she had petitioned the Speaker’s office on March 13 itself.   She was forced to approach the court as  the  complaint was ignored.  “I will go ahead with the case,” Ms Prakasham added.

The state  Assembly witnessed unruly scenes that day  as Left legislators, demanding the resignation of Finance Minister K.M. Mani,  tried to block  him  while he began presenting the state budget for 2015-16.

The LDF MLAs threw the Speaker's chair from the podium and destroyed electronic equipment like computer, keyboard and mikes on the desk of the presiding officer.

Five LDF MLAs were suspended from the Assembly through a resolution following a complaint from the Assembly secretary. A case was also registered against LDF MLAs for the incidents inside the House.