Date:03/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/03/stories/2008080360320500.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Plea to file appeal in Netto case

Staff Reporter

Thiruvananthapuram: A group of eminent women activists has submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister V.S.

Achuthanandan asking the government to file an appeal against the recent acquittal of former Transport Minister and BSP leader A. Neelalohitadasan Nadar in the case relating to alleged sexual harassment of senior IAS officer Nalini Netto.

The women, under the banner of Nalini Netto Solidarity Committee, wanted Mr. Achuthanandan to ensure that the government filed an appeal against the Fast Track Court order acquitting Mr. Nadar and said if justice was denied to a senior IAS officer, the ordinary woman would not dare to approach courts in sexual harassment cases.

Women view this particular case as a symbol of one against harassment of women in work place, journalist and one of the members of the committee R. Parvathidevi said.

The alleged incident happened when Mr. Nadar was a member of the LDF Cabinet in 1999 and he quit the Cabinet after the incident.

Fast Track Sessions Judge M.R. Anitha last week discharged Mr. Nadar in the case on the ground that the prosecution could not prove the charges against the accused.

The case against Nadar was that he attempted to outrage the modesty of Ms. Netto, who was Transport Secretary then, after she was called to his room in the Assembly complex. A lower court had sentenced Mr. Nadar to three months’ imprisonment and slapped a fine of Rs.50,000. Mr. Nadar had appealed in the Fast Track Court. – PTI