The 15-year-old girl's mother, too, has been arrested and remanded in custody.
Published Jan 14, 2025 | 6:55 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 14, 2025 | 10:19 PM
BJP state executive MS Shah arrested under POCSO Act
BJP Tamil Nadu state executive member MS Shah was arrested for allegedly sexually harassing a 15-year-old student in Madurai.
The police also arrested the girl’s mother, reportedly for being an accomplice
Shah is the state economic wing president of the BJP. He runs a private arts and science college in Alampatti, near Thirumangalam in Madurai district. He is also the principal of that college.
A few months ago, Shah allegedly harassed the schoolgirl on the pretext of buying her a scooter. The girl’s father filed a complaint with the Madurai South Women’s Police Station in April last year.
In it, he stated, “MS Shah has been frequently talking on his daughter’s cell phone and sending obscene information. It seems that my wife has also taken her daughter to the place where the BJP leader is. He has also sexually harassed her by promising to buy her a new scooter if she comes to the place he tells her and stays with him. My wife is also an accomplice in this. Action should be taken against both of them,” he said.
Police registered a case under the POCSO Act against Shah and the student’s mother. However, the female inspector on duty at Annamayil that day, cancelled the case, saying it was a false complaint.
However, Police Commissioner Loganathan ordered a re-investigation into the case.
When Shah’s cell phone and laptops were examined, it was reportedly found that he had sent obscene messages to the student. It was also revealed that the student’s mother was also complicit in this acts.
Following this, a POCSO case was filed against the student’s mother again and both were arrested on Monday, 13 January. Later, they were produced before the Madurai First Criminal Court.
Both accused have been remanded in custody till 27 January.
(Edited by Ananya Rao with inputs from Nolan Patrick Pinto)
