GUWAHATI: Cases on non-bailable charges have been registered against an Assam MLA accused of sexually harassing his domestic help, who is a minor.
The police registered the cases under IPC Section 343, and Sections 4 and 8 of the POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act against Opposition All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) MLA, Gopinath Das, based on an FIR filed by the 14-year-old girl on Sunday night. IPC Section 343 is wrongful confinement for three or more days. It suggests thatwhoever wrongfully confines any person for three days or more shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, with fine, or with both.
“We are going legally. All steps are being taken to interrogate the MLA,” Kamrup (rural) SP Indrani Baruah, told Express. The MLA said he had on Sunday morning filed a “missing report” with police, in which he alleged that she had fled with cash and clothes. In her complaint, the girl alleged that the MLA had subjected her to “sexual harassment” in his vehicle on August 29. Das dismissed the charge and sniffed a political conspiracy against him.
“I have no doubt that it is a conspiracy, hatched by my political opponents, to tarnish my image ahead of the Assembly elections which are just months away,” he said. “She alleged that I had sexually harassed her in my car. But how can this be possible? I am always accompanied by my driver and personal security officers. If I had any intention to commit a crime on her, I could have easily done it at my residence because she used to live with us,” the MLA said.
According to him, the girl was employed on June 28 and was reported missing on September 5 evening.