<div><span>Actress Shweta Menon was allegedly molested by an "elected representative" from the area at a function in Kollam, sparking strong protests from the Malayalam film fraternity and women outfits, which demanded stern action against the politician.</span><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Though Ms Menon did not reveal the identity of the politician who allegedly harassed her at the President's Trophy boat race last evening, media footage showed Congress MP N Peethambara Kurup from the area touching her but the lawmaker today strongly denied having committed such an act.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>The actress, however, stood by her charge.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Speaking to reporters in Kochi, she said, "I was really humiliated. I stand by the statement I made yesterday."</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Police are yet to register a case in connection with the incident, based either on the complaint the actress claimed to have orally made to the District Collector or by taking note of media reports.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>However, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is learnt to have spoken to the Collector on the incident.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>"It is totally untrue. I am telling this since my name has come up in a section of the media in connection with the incident," 73-year-old Kurup, representing Kollam in the Lok Sabha, told the media today.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>He said it was extremely painful that his name had been dragged into the unfortunate incident and he was confident of proving his innocence with the backing of strong proof.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>"For the time being it needs to be seen only as a politically motivated move when elections are approaching. It is painful that any kind of malicious attack could be unleashed against me just because I am a politician," he said.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Condemning the incident, state Women's Commission Member Licy Jose hinted at the possibility of the panel making a suo motu inquiry into the incident.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Actor Innocent, also president of Malayalam film artist association AMMA, said Ms Menon had called him and said it was an "elected representative" who harassed her.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>"Let her reveal the name of the person. But she has said it was an elected representative," he said.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>On the possibility of her lodging a formal complaint about the incident, Ms Menon said, "I have spoken to Innocent uncle... If any action is required I will do that after consultation with AMMA."</span></div></div>
<div><span>Actress Shweta Menon was allegedly molested by an "elected representative" from the area at a function in Kollam, sparking strong protests from the Malayalam film fraternity and women outfits, which demanded stern action against the politician.</span><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Though Ms Menon did not reveal the identity of the politician who allegedly harassed her at the President's Trophy boat race last evening, media footage showed Congress MP N Peethambara Kurup from the area touching her but the lawmaker today strongly denied having committed such an act.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>The actress, however, stood by her charge.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Speaking to reporters in Kochi, she said, "I was really humiliated. I stand by the statement I made yesterday."</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Police are yet to register a case in connection with the incident, based either on the complaint the actress claimed to have orally made to the District Collector or by taking note of media reports.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>However, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is learnt to have spoken to the Collector on the incident.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>"It is totally untrue. I am telling this since my name has come up in a section of the media in connection with the incident," 73-year-old Kurup, representing Kollam in the Lok Sabha, told the media today.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>He said it was extremely painful that his name had been dragged into the unfortunate incident and he was confident of proving his innocence with the backing of strong proof.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>"For the time being it needs to be seen only as a politically motivated move when elections are approaching. It is painful that any kind of malicious attack could be unleashed against me just because I am a politician," he said.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Condemning the incident, state Women's Commission Member Licy Jose hinted at the possibility of the panel making a suo motu inquiry into the incident.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>Actor Innocent, also president of Malayalam film artist association AMMA, said Ms Menon had called him and said it was an "elected representative" who harassed her.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>"Let her reveal the name of the person. But she has said it was an elected representative," he said.</span></div><div><span><br /></span></div><div><span>On the possibility of her lodging a formal complaint about the incident, Ms Menon said, "I have spoken to Innocent uncle... If any action is required I will do that after consultation with AMMA."</span></div></div>