THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress councillor Jose Franklin has been charged with sexual assault in connection with the suicide of a bakery owner in Neyyattinkara who set herself on fire after pouring kerosene. Jose Franklin is the DCC general secretary and the chairman of the Health Standing Committee of the Neyyattinkara Municipality. In her suicide note, the woman had mentioned that she decided to commit suicide because of the sexual harassment she faced from Jose Franklin.

About four months ago, he allegedly promised to help her get a subsidised loan for the bakery she had started and then exploited her. He repeatedly harassed her through phone calls and in person. The woman had written about these incidents in the note she left for her children.

After examining her phone records, the Neyyattinkara police named Jose Franklin as an accused in the case. He has been charged with abetment of suicide and sexual assault. Jose Franklin is currently absconding. Police visited his house but did not find him there. They are also investigating his financial dealings.