Karnataka - Bangalore

Probe began only after complaint was made: Nesargi

Special Correspondent

Bangalore: The Karnataka Women's Commission initiated an inquiry on the issue of the alleged sexual harassment of Jayalakshmi by Honnali MLA, M.P. Renukacharya, only after a complaint was filed by the victim herself, said commission chairperson Pramila Nesargi.

This clarification came following Ms. Jayalakshmi's objection to the inquiry by the commission on the ground that Ms. Nesargi also belonged to the BJP, and therefore, could not hold a fair inquiry.

Speaking to presspersons on Friday, Ms. Nesargi asked why Ms. Jayalakshmi was coming up with this argument now while she had filed a complaint on April 20 and the commission had issued notices for inquiry the next day. Ms. Jayalakshmi appeared before the commission on May 5 and submitted a list of witnesses to be summoned. The whole procedure was videographed, she added.

Meanwhile, Mr. Renukacharya and his wife M.R. Suma have filed their objections to the complaint made to the commission, denying the allegations by Ms. Jayalakshmi.

Ms. Jayalakshmi was hospitalised in the last week of April after a policeman found her unconscious on the road in Seshadripuram here. 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.

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