Facebook page to support ASI Srikala in her fight

Mahila Daurjanya Virodhi Vedike, Dalit Sangharsha Samithi, DYFI and other like-minded organisations have opened a Facebook page ‘Page zer0’ seeking support to fight in favour of ASI Srikala, who had levelled allegations of sexual harassment against Assistant Commissioner of Police T R Jagannath.

Speaking to mediapersons here on Monday, Vidya Dinakar of Mahila Daurjanya Virodhi Vedike said that the clean chit given by the committee that probed the allegation of sexual harassment against ACP has not conducted the inquiry in a fair manner. The nine-member committee headed by Assistant Commissioner of Police B T Kavita has found no evidence to support the allegation of sexual harassment levelled against the ACP, on May 23.

“The inquiry committee report which we had collected through RTI Act has found that it was less of an inquiry into sexual harassment charges and more of an inquiry into Srikala herself. We reject the inquiry report and it is an example for how an inquiry on sexual harassment case at workplace should not be conducted. As an officer of a same cadre headed the committee that probed into the allegation, the inquiry was not fair.”

At the same time, there is no district-level committee under the presidentship of the DC to look into the case pertaining to sexual harassment at workplace in Dakshina Kannada district.

Hence, Srikala had approached the court seeking justice. Following the court’s direction, a FIR was filed and investigation is on. To silence Srikala, the second accused Mohan has filed atrocity case against her. The case against her was a conspiracy.

She said the government which speaks of pro-women is showing anti-women stance in this particular case, by supporting the Assistant Commissioner of Police. The government should transfer the ACP immediately, to help impartial probe into the case. “We will support Srikala in her legal fight,” she added.

Krishnappa of Dalit Sangharsha Samithi (Prof B Krishnappa Sthapitha) said that the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act should not be misused. “If the police only misuse the act, then what will happen to the commonman. The police should probe into the atrocity case filed against Srikala impartially to give her justice.”