THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Thiruvananthapuram district leadership of the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) has clarified that they have no links with former chief Imam of Tholicode Jama Ath Shafeek Al Qasimi, accused of sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl. They said they will take legal steps if he is trying to escape in the name of the party. Meantime, it is hinted that the Imam who is absconding is likely to surrender.

The police have started an investigation against the victim’s parents. The probe is based on the statement of the girl that her mother and uncle forced her not to give statement against him. Meantime, the police is budging pressure on the imam to surrender. The minor was not willing to give statement even after the child welfare committee and the police approached her to take statement. Her statement was recorded after she was given a three-day counselling under the protection of child welfare committee. Nedumangad DySP D Ashokan, the investigating official, said the girl told them that her mother and uncle stopped her from giving statement. Based on this, the police decided to take detailed statements from her parents.

The girl had mentioned that the Imam had sexually abused her earlier also. He had the other day filed an anticipatory bail plea. The Imam said the CPM are taking political vengeance on him and has also trapped him in a fake case after he spoke at the SDPI venue.