Women’s Commission books P C George for defaming assaulted actress

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Women's commission has registered a case against P C George MLA over his defamatory remarks against the actress who was abducted and sexually assaulted in a moving van in Kochi on February 17.

Chairperson of the Commission M C Josephine, in a press statement on Monday, said that it decided to register a suo motu case after getting a legal advice. It also verified visuals of the press conference in which George made the alleged remarks.

Josephine said that the Commission would inform the Speaker of the Assembly Monday itself about the case against the MLA.

The Commission will take further steps against George after getting a response from the Speaker. She added that the Speaker would be sent a letter seeking his permission to record the statements of George in the case.

P C George, MLA of Poonjar constituency, had belittled the Commission's proceedings against him for his statements against the actress who faced sexual assault.

"We will not tolerate any attempt to defame or threaten the commission, which is functioning for more than 25 years to ensure justice to thousands of women. Many prominent people have appeared before the commission to give their statements in various cases and have followed instructions. So far, no such threats have succeeded," the Commission Chairperson had said in a statement issued on Sunday.

George had had asked media persons how the actress, who was said to have faced harassment in Kochi last February, managed to return to work the next day.

"Police told the court that the attack on the actress is worse than the Nirbhaya incident. If so, how can she return to the sets of the movie the next day? In which hospital did she seek medical assistance? ”George asked.

Later, he had reiterated his stance at various interviews aired on TV channels which triggered controversy and invited widespread criticism.

George had also defended actor Dileep asserting that there was no evidence to prove that the actress was attacked and he did not believe that Dileep had any role in the incident.

Dileep is currently serving his remand period in Aluva sub-jail on charges of conspiracy to the attack on the female actor by giving 'quotation' to Sunil Kumar aka Pulsar Suni.