Japanese woman rape: Sushma Swaraj asks Kerala govt to expedite trial

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has asked the Kerala government to expedite the expedite the trial in a case of alleged rape of a Japanese woman last month.

Swaraj, who is undergoing treatment at AIIMS for kidney failure, in a series of tweets said: “I asked for a report from Government of Kerala about the rape of a Japanese tourist on 25 Nov 2016. We have received the report.”

Givng further details, the Union Minister said, “The statement of the victim has been recorded before a Magistrate and the accused has been apprehended.”

“I have asked Government of Kerala to expedite the trial and keep us informed about the case,” her another tweet said.

A 25-year-old Karnataka native was arrested for allegedly raping a 35-year-old Japanese woman in Kerala`s Kovalam district.

The accused, Teja, was arrested last Saturday by the police officials, acting upon the complaint filed by the victim.

According to police, the incident took place on Friday night.

A case has been registered against Teja under section 376 (punishment for rape) of the Indian Penal Code.

Teja`s family runs a handicrafts shop at Kovalam, police had said.

The woman was rushed to the government SAT Hospital by the staff after she was found injured and bleeding in her hotel room.The woman had arrived in Kovalam on Friday, police said.