JOIN US The Supreme Court on Friday granted protection from arrest to Rajya Sabha MP Sasikala Pushpa and her family members for six weeks in a sexual harassment case lodged by her domestic help.
A three-judge bench presided over by Chief Justice T S Thakur also questioned the Tamil Nadu government’s keenness to arrest the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam(AIADMK) lawmaker.
“Why do you want to arrest a lady MP? She is not running away. The very fact that you are opposing anticipatory bail of a lady MP shows there is more to this matter than what meets the eye,” the bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, told the counsel of the state government.
The court made the observation after senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, appearing for the AIADMK MP contended that the case was a “counter-blast” to her allegations against her “leader”.
“What is the great hurry to arrest her? She is after all a lady MP. Her allegations against another leader has nothing to do with her plea for anticipatory bail,” the bench told the state counsel.
Luthra sought an urgent intervention in view of the possible arrest of Sasikala and her family members.
He submitted that the Madras High Court has ordered for her presence on Monday and there was every likelihood of her arrest on appearance, along with her family members.