Angkita Dutta had filed a complaint alleging that Srinivas was 'persistently harassing and torturing her by making sexist comments'.
Srinivas BV speaking at an event. (Facebook)
Indian Youth Congress (IYC) president Srinivas BV has been asked to appear at Dispur police station in Guwahati on Tuesday, 2 May, for questioning in connection with allegations of harassment and gender discrimination against him by now-expelled Assam Youth Congress president Angkita Dutta.
Srinivas’ petition in the Gauhati High Court appealing for quashing of the FIR against him will also be taken up by the court again later in the day.
When contacted, Congress leaders could not confirm whether Srinivas will appear in person before the police.
Angkita Dutta had filed a complaint at the Dispur police station on 19 April alleging that Srinivas was ”persistently harassing and torturing her for the last six months by making sexist comments, using slang words and also threatening her with dire consequences if she keeps complaining against him to the senior party office bearers”.
She had also mentioned in the complaint that during the party’s recent plenary session at Raipur, the accused had heckled, held her arm, pushed her, used slang words, and said that he would ruin her career in the party if she complained against him.
Srinivas has been booked under various Sections of IPC 294, 342, 352, 354, 354(A)(iv), 506 and 509, and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act.
A five-member Guwahati police team went to Bengaluru on 23 April and pasted a notice at his residence directing him to appear at the Dispur Police station by 2 May.
Srinivas had filed a petition in the Gauhati High Court on 26 April, appealing the quashing of the FIR against him.
The Court of Justice Ajit Borthakur, after hearing both sides, had posted the matter for further hearing on 2 May.
Srinivas had approached a local court in Bengaluru on 28 April for transit anticipatory bail, but his plea was rejected.
Dutta alleged that IYC chief Srinivas BV was causing her mental harassment and humiliation as she was a woman.
She added that he recently roped in Assam IYC secretary Vardhan Yadhav and both of them had been jointly campaigning and lobbying against her to get her thrown out of the IYC.
She also alleged that she had brought this matter to the notice of the IYC general secretary and also Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi.
But no inquiry or action was initiated against both Srinivas or Vardhan Yadav despite her complaints, she said.
Dutta also alleged that she met Srinivas at the Mayfair Hotel during the Congress’ Raipur plenary session in Chhattisgarh in February. She was entering the hotel to meet party seniors while Srinivas was coming out.
As they exchanged pleasantries and crossed each other, Srinivas allegedly asked her if she was drunk, and what alcohol she had consumed — vodka or tequila. Srinivas also is said to have asked Dutta if she texted after drinking.
Dutta alleged that Srinivas used to undermine her because of her gender.
She said she was sidelined on several instances, or kept uninformed about important developments.
They also did not involve her in decision-making, despite her being the president of the State IYC unit, Dutta alleged.
She also said Srinivas engaged Vardhan Yadav and made posters of hers along with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma — a BJP leader — and initiated a campaign on social media lobbying against her.
They claimed she was all set to join the BJP to avoid being investigated by the ED and the CBI in the Saradha Chit Fund case, she said.
Dutta added that she even forwarded the posters to Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, but no action was initiated against Srinivas or Vardhan Yadav.
(With PTI inputs)
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