Thiruvananthapuram: The Chief Judicial Magistrate Court here on Monday issued summons to former transport minister A.K. Saseendran in connection with the alleged sleaze talk with a woman reporter of Mangalam TV channel. According to sources, the court action was based on a petition filed by the woman. The court had earlier recorded her statement. Based on this, the court initiated a case against Mr Saseendran and issued summons to him to appear before the court on July 28, sources said. The offences against Mr Saseendran included sexual harassment and use of criminal force against women as per section 354 A and B of the Indian Penal Code.
The woman said in the statement given to the court earlier that the minister showed sexual gestures at her after inviting her to his official residence when she sought an official interview. She also alleged that the minister offered to take her on a tour, said sources. It may be recalled that Mangalam TV channel chief executive officer R. Ajith Kumar had earlier stated on the channel that the sleaze conversation of the minister was part of a sting operation of the channel. Mr Ajith even apologised for it. Hence, the police strongly suspect that the petition filed by the woman in the court was an attempt to torpedo the investigation against Mr. Ajith Kumar and other journalists of the channel.
