CPI(M) MLA PK Sasi Accused of Sexual Harassment by DYFI Activist, Sitaram Yechury 'Orders Internal Probe'
The complainant, in her letters to party's Kerala unit secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and senior leader Brinda Karat, claimed that she was harassed by the MLA over the past few months.
Thiruvananthapuram, Sept 4: The Community Party of India (Marxist) will conduct an internal probe against its legislator from Shoranur, PK Sasi, who is accused of sexually harassing an activist of the party's students' wing - the Democratic Youth Foundation of India (DYFI), reports said on Tuesday.
The complainant, in her letters to party's Kerala unit secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and senior leader Brinda Karat, claimed that she was harassed by the MLA over the past few months. She further claimed Sasi later dialled her up and spoke in an intimidating tone.
The victim, who is yet to file a police complaint, had written to Balakrishnan in the first week of August narrating the ordeal she allegedly suffered. Since no action was taken, the DYFI worker sent a letter to Karat, who raised the matter in the CPI(M) politburo.
Paying heed to the issue, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury ordered the constitution of a two-person commission, including a woman leader of the party, which will probe the sexual harrassment charge against Sasi.
Yechury reportedly took cognizance of the victim's letter, in which claimed that a group of party leaders based in Palakkad attempted to coerce her into silence. They allegedly offered her Rs 1 crore, along with a top post in the DYFI or the CPI(M).
In the upcoming politburo meeting to be held in Palakkad, the issue is likely to be raised, said reports citing party sources. If the charge gets proven in the internal probe, the party is likely to order the suspension of Sasi.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 04, 2018 02:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).