CPI(M) leader's son booked in rape case in Mumbai

Thiruvananthapuram/Mumbai: In an embarrassment to the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala, the Mumbai police has registered a case of rape and cheating against the son of the party's state secretary, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.

The case was filed on the basis of a complaint from a 33-year-old woman from Bihar, a former bar dancer, who has alleged that Binoy Vinodini Balakrishnan sexually assaulted her promising marriage and that she has a child from him. Admitting that he knew the woman, Binoy, however, said the allegation was "baseless".

Six months ago, the woman had sent a letter to him demanding Rs five crore and alleging that he had married her and had a child from her, Binoy told television channels in Thiruvananthapuram.

"I got married in 2008. There is no need for me to keep it under the wraps. This is a blackmailing ploy from the complainant," he said.

Binoy said he filed a complaint in May against the woman with the Inspector General of Police, Kannur range. The complaint was forwarded to then Kannur Superintendent of Police (SP) Shiv Vikram for further action. But with the Lok Sabha polls going on and due to jurisdiction issues, no further action could be taken, police sources said. Binoy said the Mumbai police had not got in touch with him so far and that he was prepared to face the case legally.