TVK functionary booked for alleged sexual harassment of college student in Kanniyakumari

A Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) functionary has been booked for allegedly sexually harassing a college student in Tamil Nadu's Kanniyakumari district. 

According to reports, the accused has been identified as L Christopher, who is the party's central district executive committee member. The incident happened when the survivor, a second-year student at a private college in Nagercoil, was reportedly waiting for a bus with her friend, who is also learned to be a TVK member from Moolachal.

When Christopher saw the duo on Wednesday, October 21, he allegedly approached them and offered to drop them home in his car. As it was raining, the two students accepted his offer and got into the car. He allegedly dropped his party associate at Moolachal and then continued towards Kulasekaram with the other student. During the journey, he allegedly stopped the vehicle and sexually harassed her, police said.

Shocked by the incident, the student confronted Christopher and attempted to get out of the vehicle. He subsequently dropped her near her home and allegedly fled. After reaching home, the student informed her parents and approached the police. 

The Thuckalay police registered a case on Thursday, October 22, and have launched a search to apprehend Christopher. 

Reacting to the incident, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami questioned the government's “Singappen Athiradippadai” (women's special force), asking whether it was in “hibernation mode”.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader Kanimozhi Karunanidhi also questioned Chief Minister and TVK president Vijay over the action his party took against the accused. “Before advising others, Chief Minister Vijay should introspect about the people he has admitted into his party,” she said, alleging that TVK had become a place where people accused of sexual offences and those with criminal histories were present.