Woman's sexual assault claims against MLA PK Sasi 'doubtful', says CPM probe report

The probe team found nothing unnatural in PK Sasi asking the woman to report at the area committee office on that day.
Shoranur legislator PK Sasi (Photo | Twitter)
Shoranur legislator PK Sasi (Photo | Twitter)

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as the CPM has taken action against senior leader P K Sasi on sexual harassment allegation, the party's internal probe report indicates the victim's claims are doubtful.

The excerpts of the internal probe account, included in the report to be presented before the district committee, has a sly innuendo that the complainant woman used to behave 'socially' with everyone.

"In general she used to behave very socially with male comrades and other male friends, according to the statement given by many," says the report.

The report says several leaders had given statement there was a conspiracy behind the allegation. The probe team members --- minister A K Balan and P K Sreemathy MP --- also opined the woman, a DYFI leader, would not have lodged the complaint on her own.

According to the report, the victim's claim that Sasi misbehaved with her at the party office cannot be believed since the office was crowded with workers and leaders at the said time of the incident. The said room had its doors open the whole day. Also, the complainant did not raise the issue in the district forum of the party.

In fact, the report mentions Sasi has reportedly asked the complainant, "What's wrong in touching each other if there's mutual respect?"

The report, which mostly favours Sasi, says the complainant appeared to be happy and behaved in a normal manner with everyone including him during the conference and the photo session at the end of the
district conference.

"Had such a harassment occurred, how can she behave so naturally is a relevant question. Though most state leaders and state committee members from Palakkad were present during the conference, she didn't even give a hint about such an incident."

The probe team found nothing unnatural in Sasi asking the woman to report at the area committee office on that day. The MLA did not have any malicious intention with regard to the woman. He gave
Rs 5,000 to her to pay the remuneration of volunteers. There are no eye witnesses to the alleged misbehaviour, the report said.

The probe team said the woman also made contradictory claims. The only allegation confirmed by the probe team was Sasi's inappropriate talk with the victim. The report was leaked out to the media after the CPM state committee sent a copy to the district secretariat as part of the party procedure.

Based on the report, party state committee had suspended Sasi from its primary
membership for six months.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com