THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The District Crime Branch on Tuesday slapped attempt to murder charges against MLA Eldhose Kunnappilly in the incident where he beat up the victim in the molestation case in Kovalam last month. The MLA was charged with the murder attempt on the basis of the woman's statement. With this, the probe team has tightened the case against MLA. The attempt to murder charges comes in addition to the kidnapping, insulting women and conspiracy charges against Eldhose.

The probe team has found that the MLA had booked rooms in the guest house and resorts, where the teacher is said to have been molested, in his name. The officials have collected copies of the identification documents given by the MLA for this purpose as evidence. The woman had stated in her complaint that from July 4 to September 15, Eldhose took her to different places and tortured her. The crime branch is now conducting inspections at the places where they lived together. The officials have collected the hard disk from the guest house in Kovalam for inspection. The crime branch team also went to the suicide point in Kovalam with the victim and collected evidence.

The investigation team is planning to issue a lookout notice against the MLA as he is not willing to surrender and cooperate with the probe. The officials will take action regarding this after the court announces its decision on the MLA's anticipatory bail plea.