Twist in 'sex for job' scandal: Activist Dinesh Kallahalli withdraws complaint against Ramesh Jarkiholi

In a dramatic turn of events, activist Dinesh Kallahalli withdrew his complaint against former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi on Sunday, following which Ramesh's brother and BJP MLA Balachandra Jarkiholi sought a CBI probe into the incident that embarrassed the BJP.

Kallahalli had filed a police complaint on March 2, accusing Ramesh of sexually harassing a woman on the pretext of getting her a government job. Several videos purportedly of the BJP leader getting intimate with the woman were telecast on TV channels subsequently, leading to Ramesh's resignation the next day.

In his letter submitted to Cubbon Park police withdrawing his complaint, Kallahalli said he was doing it in the interest of the woman in the video. He alleged that a smear campaign was launched against him and the woman on social media, as a 'shoot the messenger' policy was pursued after the CD was leaked.

"Former chief minister H D Kumaraswamy levelled baseless allegations of a Rs 5 cr deal over the CD issue," he said, adding that it was unfortunate that the discussion revolved around the informant in the case, rather than the victim.

A source in the police department said they have 15 days’ time to investigate a complaint received without the statement of the survivor.

“The advocate of Dinesh Kallahalli has written on his behalf. We have told the advocate to send Kallahalli, since he is the complainant, to get more information. After gathering evidence, we will take further action,” the source said.

CBI probe

Talking about the incident at a press conference, Balachandra said, "When he (Kallahalli) went to the police station and said he would release a CD (on March 2), it was already out. The videos were uploaded three hours prior on YouTube, in Russia."

Balachandra claimed that "17 servers were identified to upload the video". "The objective was to release it simultaneously in Karnataka and all over India on YouTube, Facebook and other social media," he said, adding "Rs 15 cr was spent for the purpose".

Balachandra demanded a CBI probe into the episode, saying that 10 ministers of the state government and 25 MLAs had urged him to do so.

"He (Ramesh) should file a complaint against the incident. If he does not, I will file a complaint on his behalf," Balachandra said.

Two masterminds

Balachandra alleged that two people had masterminded the incident while a network of conspirators plotted the 'honey trap'. Officials should first arrest these two to unravel the truth behind the whole episode, he said, maintaining that the videos were "fake".

The woman, he claimed, was lured with Rs 50 lakh cash and a job in Dubai.

This was done to push BJP on the back foot ahead of elections in five states, he said, adding that there was a conspiracy to defame the Jarkiholi family too.