Ex-MLA Nanjil A Murugesan booked under Pocso on rape charge, on the run

KANYAKUMARI: Former Nagercoil MLA Nanjil A Murugesan, 53, who was expelled from the AIADMK’s primary membership on Monday, has been booked under various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act on charges of raping a 15-year-old girl for more than two years. Four others – the girl’s mother who pushed the girl into flesh trade for her gains – and three other men who raped her have been arrested.
They were booked under Sections 3(a) (penetrative sexual assault with sexual organ), 4 (punishment for penetrative sexual assault), 7 (sexual assault by touching vital organs but not penetrative), 8 (punishment for sexual assault), 11(3) (shows any object to a child in any form or media for pornographic purposes), 12 (punishment for sexual harassment) and 17 (punishment for abetment) of Pocso Act.
Five special teams have been formed under deputy superintendent of police for the district crime branch to nab the former MLA who is on the run. Four people, Paul, 66, and Ashok Kumar, 43, of Idalakudi, and Karthik, 28, of Kottar besides the girl’s mother have been arrested so far, Kanyakumari district superintendent of police V Badrinarayanan told TOI.
Police sources said the girl who has been taken to a children’s home is highly traumatised and is being given counselling through the child welfare committee. A district child protection unit (DCPU) official said the incident came to light only a day ago after the girl who eloped with a 20-year-old man was rescued. A kidnapping case was booked against him since the girl is a minor. She was produced before a magistrate before whom she said in a statement that she was raped by the former MLA and a few others, based on which the court directed the matter to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) on Monday. On the directions of the CWC, the district child protection officer lodged a complaint with the Nagercoil All Woman Police against Murugesan and others on Monday.
Murugesan who was Nagercoil MLA from 2011-16 was expelled from the AIADMK on Monday evening. In a joint statement, party coordinator and deputy chief minister O Panneerselvam and joint coordinator and chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said that Nanjil Murugesan has been removed from the basic membership of the party. The statement said the decision was taken due to his acts against the principles and objectives of the party and tarnishing its image.
(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directives on cases related to sexual assault)