DHARWAD: An FIR has been registered in Dharwad against Gopal Joshi, the estranged brother of Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, following allegations of sexual and mental harassment by a woman.
The woman, Rama Kulkarni, a resident of Kalyananagar, filed the complaint at the Vidyagiri police station on Thursday.
Gopal Joshi too registered a counter-complaint against the woman, stating that her complaint was an attempt to extort money from him. He registered the complaint at the Keshwapur police station in Hubballi.
The police are investigating the case as it involves allegations of sexual harassment. Rama claimed that she and her family face a threat from Gopal Joshi and alleged that the harassment has been going on for the last four years.
The FIR claims that Gopal Joshi visited Rama’s flat at Door Number 10 at Poorna Apartment complex in Malamaddi and sexually assaulted her on May 29, 2022.
Woman tried to extort money: Joshi
When the woman raised her voice, she was threatened that her and her family’s lives would be in danger, she stated in the complaint.
When the harassment became unbearable, she discussed it with her family members and based on their advice, she filed the police complaint, she stated. In his counter-complaint, Gopal Joshi claimed that Rama Kulkarni threatened to damage his reputation and demanded money. He stated that she called him multiple times demanding money and when he did not yield, she filed the police complaint.
It is an attempt at extorting money and the allegations are false, he stated. He added that in fact, it was Rama who was causing him mental harassment.
A police officer involved in the case refused to comment, and said the investigation is going on.
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