The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has announced the immediate suspension of Jose Franklin, a prominent general secretary of the Thiruvananthapuram District Congress Committee (DCC) and a sitting councillor in the Neyyattinkara municipality. This decisive action comes in the wake of grave allegations of sexual harassment and abetting the suicide of a woman.
The suspension was officially communicated via a press release issued by KPCC president Sunny Joseph. Last week, the Neyyattinkara police had already initiated legal proceedings against Franklin concerning the tragic suicide of a 50-year-old woman in Perumpazhuthoor on October 8.
The victim’s daughter discovered her engulfed in flames during the early morning hours. Despite immediate efforts to save her, including rushing her to Neyyattinkara General Hospital and later to Government Medical College Hospital, she tragically succumbed to her severe burn injuries. What was initially believed to be an accidental fire soon took a horrifying turn when a suicide note, allegedly penned by the victim, came to light, detailing the harrowing circumstances that led to her desperate act.
The contents of this deeply disturbing note, which were made public on Sunday, directly implicated Jose Franklin. According to the note, Franklin, who also serves as the health standing committee chairperson of the Neyyattinkara municipality, had sexually exploited the woman. She had initially approached him seeking a loan to alleviate the financial burden of her struggling bakery business. Franklin reportedly promised assistance, instructing her to visit his office with relevant documents. It was during this visit that he allegedly subjected her to sexual harassment.
In her poignant message to her son, the woman expressed her profound despair, stating that she saw no other recourse but to end her life due to Franklin’s relentless demands for sexual favors. Following the emergence of these damning allegations, the Congress councillor has reportedly gone into hiding.