Former CPI(M) area secretary booked on rape charge in Kasaragod

The police have registered a case of rape against S. Sudhakaran, former Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] Kumbala area secretary and sitting member of the Enmakaje gram panchayat, following a complaint by a woman alleging sexual abuse and intimidation spanning nearly three decades.

The case was registered at the Kasaragod women police station after the woman submitted her complaint to the State Police Chief. According to the first information report (FIR), Sudhakaran, who is also a teacher at Ichilampady LP School in Kumbala, allegedly began exploiting her in 1995 by promising marriage and later continued the abuse through threats.

The complainant told the police that whenever she resisted, Sudhakaran would threaten to kill her husband and children, forcing her to remain silent for years. She further alleged that he interfered in her family life, intimidated her husband and compelled him to seek a divorce. The complaint also claimed that Sudhakaran sent her nude images allegedly recorded inside school classrooms.

The woman said she approached the senior police officer after the harassment became unbearable. She told investigators that she lived in peace only during the period when Sudhakaran was in jail.

Sudhakaran, a convict in the murder case of Youth Congress leader Abdul Jabbar in Kasaragod, has faced criminal cases earlier as well.

Following the registration of the case, the CPI(M) district leadership announced that Sudhakaran has been suspended from the party’s primary membership and from all elected positions. A three-member commission comprising leaders from the Kumbala area committee has been constituted to probe the matter and further action will be decided based on its report.

The police said the accused is currently absconding and efforts are under way to trace him.

More sections may be added after recording the complainant’s confidential statement, the police said..