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Kerala's ex-minister chargesheeted in sexual harassment case

D Jose in Trivandrum

The crime branch's special investigation team, probing the alleged sexual harassment of senior IAS official Nalini Netto, has found former transport minister A Neelalohitadasan Nadar guilty of outraging her modesty, 'not only by word but also by deed'.

The CB's chargesheet filed before the judicial first class magistrate's court at Trivandrum on Thursday has pointed out the scars on the lower lip and finger of the victim as important evidence to prove that the IAS official's modesty was indeed outraged.

The chargesheet holds the former minister, who was forced to resign from the cabinet on February 12, 2000, guilty under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code, which prescribes up to two years imprisonment with or without fine.

According to the chargesheet, Nadar expressed his desire for Nalini when the two were alone in his chamber in the state legislative assembly on December 21, 1999.

When she tried to leave the room, he charged at her and tried to overpower and kiss her. She sustained injuries while trying to escape from Nadar's clutches, the chargesheet said.

A case against Nadar was registered on February 20, 2000 following a complaint the IAS official made with the chief minister on February 9. The case was transferred to the crime branch after the former minister approached the high court for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe.

Nadar, who was grilled by the CB for over six hours on June 30, had denied the charge, and claimed that it was motivated by his decision to probe the alleged corruption involved in Nalini's decision to award a traffic and transportation study contract for the state capital to a particular firm. However, the investigating team could not establish any connection between the two.

Nadar had also alleged the forest mafia's involvement in framing him in the sexual harassment case.

These charges by Nadar are now under the scrutiny of a judicial inquiry being conducted by Justice G Sasidharan. He has stated before the commission that the police case against him was the result of influence Nalini and her husband Desmond, who is working in Kerala as inspector general of police, had with the higher echelons in the government.

The IAS official has not been cooperating with the judicial inquiry after the judge refused to permit in-camera proceedings, and had also approached the government as well as the high court for disbanding the commission. The Kerala IAS Officers Association and women's organisations had also rallied behind her.

Nadar refused to comment on the crime branch's findings against him. "It is up to the court to examine everything. I have utmost faith in the courts," he told rediff.com .

EARLIER REPORTS:

IAS officers join colleague's fight against sexual harassment
Sexual harassment filed against Nadar
Judicial probe ordered in Netto case

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