Thiruvanthapuram, November 26: The Kerala unit of Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Monday suspended lawmaker P K Sasi for six months after charges of sexual harassment were levelled by a woman party worker. The party took the decision during the committee meeting at its headquarters at AKG Centre in Thiruvananthapuram.

Informing more, the party said that Shorapur MLA has been suspended from primary membership after the probe found that Sasi had conversed ‘in a manner not befitting a party leader’ with a woman worker. The release said that the suspension will be implemented after the central committee of CPI(M) ratifies the decision. CPI(M) MLA PK Sasi Accused of Sexual Harassment by DYFI Activist, Sitaram Yechury 'Orders Internal Probe'.

According to the complainant — a worker of the Democratic Youth Federation of India — had accused the MLA of trying to sexually abuse her at the party office at Manarcaud in Palakkad. Soon after the complaint, a commission, comprising of law minister A K Balan and Kannur MP P K Sreemathy, investigated the matter and submitted the report. The committee found out that Sasi not only not sexually assaulted the complainant, but had conversed with her inappropriately’.

Though Sasi had denied the charges initially claiming that it is a conspiracy to malign his image, but later stated that he would accept any decision the party would take against him. Previously the complaint was sent to CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat on August 14 and the same was sent through an mail to party’s general Sitaram Yechury as well. It is to be known that the decision comes a day prior to Kerala’s Assembly Session, beginning on Tuesday.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 26, 2018 09:22 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).