Thiruvananthapuram: CPM inquiry commission will submit its report on the allegations of sexual harassment against Shoranur MLA P. K. Sasi on Friday. The commission comprising minister A. K. Balan and P. K. Sreemathy MP which had found “substance” in the allegations levelled by a DYFI Palakkad district leader has reportedly recommended action against the MLA. However, the panel is learnt to have concluded that the offence was not of grave nature which could be bracketed with sexual assault or sexual harassment. Under these circumstances the party is likely to reduce the degree of punishment.
In normal course a party member who is found guilty of sexual harassment may face suspension or expulsion. In this case, the MLA might be demoted from district secretariat.
However, the final decision on the disciplinary action will be taken at the state committee meeting to be held from Saturday.
While initiating action against the MLA, the party will have to ensure that it is acceptable to the DYFI leader since she had used only organisational platform to submit the complaint.
Action is likely to be initiated against two DYFI activists who had allegedly tried to hush up the matter. The allegations of conspiracy raised by the MLA would also be dealt with at the organisation level. The party may recommend action against some of the local leaders named by Sasi.
The commission had completed the process of recording statements a couple of weeks ago amid allegations that a section of leaders had tried to derail the probe. As many as eight CPM and DYFI leaders had deposed before the party commission including C. K. Rajendran and M. B. Rajesh.
Though pressure was mounted from various quarters on the DYFI leader to withdraw or water down the complaint, she stood by her allegations firmly. The attempts made allegedly by a section of workers to derail the probe could not succeed in the face of strong stand taken by the woman.
Apart from the state leadership, the DYFI leader had also wrote to party general secretary Sitaram Yechury seeking the central leadership’s intervention in the matter.
