The opposition alleged the government and police were protecting the gang rape accused.
Kerala government today came under scathing attack from UDF opposition in the assembly over an alleged gang rape complaint by a woman against a CPI(M) functionary and three others two years ago, even as the ruling LDF assured a fair probe and stern action against the accused.
Raising the harrowing experience of the woman, a mother of two, in the House, Congress-led Opposition members alleged that the government and police were trying to "protect" the accused, including CPI(M) Wadakancherry Municipal Council member Jayanthan, due to their affiliation with the ruling party.
They said the accused and police officials, who allegedly ill-treated the woman when she had lodged a complaint, were getting "political protection" and demanded that a woman ADGP should probe the case to ensure justice to the victim.
Rejecting the charges, Law Minister A K Balan, who spoke on behalf of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijyan, said the government would not protect culprits in criminal cases even if they belong to the ruling party.
He also said Guruvayur Assistant Commissioner of police had already been entrusted to probe the matter on the basis of the woman's complaint.
"The accused will not escape law because of their party affiliations... whoever be the accused, even if they belong to our own party, we will make them pay the price for their act," Balan said.
"They will not find any place in party," the minister said while replying to a notice seeking an adjournment motion by Anil Akkara (Congress) over a number of recent "atrocities" against women reported in the state including the gang rape complaint by the woman, a native of Wadakancherry in Thrissur district.
Irked over Balan's statement that the Opposition could submit to the investigating officer all the information with them in connection with the gangrape case, Opposition members stood up from their seats demanding withdrawal of the remarks as it amounted to "disrespect" to the entire House.
The minister later withdrew the statement following the Opposition protest.