FIR Booked Against Railway Koduru Jana Sena MLA in Sexual Harassment Case

KADAPA: An FIR has been registered against Railway Koduru constituency Jana Sena MLA Arava Sridhar following allegations of sexual harassment. Acting on the directions of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Kadapa district superintendent of police ordered the registration of the case. Police said the FIR was filed based on the victim’s complaint and preliminary inquiry reports. The case has been registered under Sections 318(2), 318(4) and 351(2) of the (BNS). Officials stated that a detailed investigation into the incident has been initiated.

Meanwhile, the Railway Koduru Jana Sena MLA who had remained underground for a week after facing serious sexual misconduct charges has appeared before the party’s three-member inquiry committee on Tuesday.

The JS committee heard out the legislator at the Raj Residency Hotel in Railway Koduru.

Sources said the panel questioned Sridhar at length and sought explanations over reports published in print, electronic and social media. The MLA is said to have denied any wrongdoing, He told the committee that the videos circulating against him are morphed. He alleged that they are part of a conspiracy hatched by his political rivals who, unable to tolerate his rise in politics, allegedly instigated a woman to level the charges against him.

Sridhar is learnt to have told the committee that the case is a “honey-trap” conspiracy engineered by his enemies.

The three-member committee is expected to submit its report to the party leadership by February 6.

Significantly, in the past, the Telugu Desam had suspended an MLA following similar sexual harassment allegations.