Jayalakshmi addressing a press conference in Bangalore on Wednesday.

BANGALORE: The Akhila Bharata Janawadi Mahila Sanghatane will take the issue of sexual harassment of Jayalakshmi that they allege was committed by Honnali MLA, M.P. Renukacharya, before the National Commission for Women and the National Human Rights Commission.

A fortnight ago, Ms. Jayalakshmi was hospitalised after she was found unconscious on the road in Seshadripuram here by a policeman. She was said to have consumed poison in an attempt to commit suicide as she could not withstand the unwelcome attention of Mr. Renukacharya, and despite several attempts, had not been able to file a complaint with the police.

While she was recuperating in hospital, chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Women Pramila Nesargi visited her and assured her of all help in getting a complaint registered.

The sanghatane too had extended cooperation and support for Ms. Jayalakshmi, who runs a nursing school in the city.

At the time, Ms. Nesargi had said she anticipated that a case would be registered against Ms. Jayalakshmi for attempted suicide.

"That's exactly how it happened, though, thanks to the media coverage, the Chandra Layout police registered a criminal case against Mr. Renukacharya following Ms. Jayalakshmi's complaint," Gauramma, joint secretary of the sanghatane, said at a press conference here on Wednesday.

The case has been booked under several sections of the Indian Penal Code — Sections 387 (extortion), 504 (breach of peace), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 509 (insulting the modesty of woman) against the legislator who is also chairman of the Karnataka State Electronics Development Corporation Ltd.

Now, the sanghatane fears it may go the way of most such complaints, and Ms. Jayalakshmi may never get justice.

As its State secretary, K.S. Vimala said, "the police are now being trained to respond with sensitivity when women come seeking protection. But though the top brass is sensitised and know what to do, it is the sub-inspectors and inspectors at police stations who refuse to change their attitude."

Women who go to complain are treated very badly, even abused, and victimised all over again, Ms. Vimala said.

What happened to Ms. Jayalakshmi should be a wake-up call, and that is why the sanghatane would like to take the issue to the National Commission for Women.

They have been trying to meet Home Minister M.P. Prakash to articulate their demands.

Another demand is that the investigation into the case against Mr. Renukacharya should be expedited, and action initiated against him.

The sanghatane and Ms. Jayalakshmi want the Government to come to the aid of all women who were victimised, and implement the laws meant to protect women from such situations.

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