Case of attempt to outrage modesty of woman filed against Arjun Sarja

Agencies

October 27, 2018

Bengaluru, Oct 27: A case of attempt to outrage the modesty of a woman has been slapped against popular South Indian film actor Arjun Sarja on a complaint by multi-lingual actress Sruthi Hariharan.

The actress, who has essayed roles in several Kannada films in a post on her Facebook page praising the '#Metoo" movement, had last week accused Sarja of "lewd and complete unprofessional behavior" with her during the shooting for a bilingual film in 2016.

Sruthi's complaint with the Cubbon Park police came a day after the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC)'s attempt to bring about a conciliation between the two actors failed.

"Based on a complaint from Sruthi Hariharan, we have registered a case under Sections 354 354A, 506 and 509 of theIPC.

The main content of it is that he misbehaved with her.We will investigate all the aspects mentioned in the complaint," DCP (Central Bengaluru) D Devaraj told reporters.

Section 354 relates to assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty, 506 to punishment for criminal intimidation and 509 to word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman.

The actress has also mentioned the manager and two others as the witnesses, Devaraj said, adding, "We will inquire with them too."

Sruthi has alleged that Sarja had sexually abused her since 2015.

The actress recalled one incident in December 2015 when she was travelling with her team to her house in her car and Sarja followed her in his vehicle.

When the vehicles stopped at a traffic signal, he passed a sexually explicit comment, she alleged.

The actress further stated that the #MeToo movement gave her strength to share her story with people.

After Sruthi's Facebook post last week,Sarja had told a TV channel that he has great respect for women right from his childhood and that he was never involved in any incident that disrespected women or embarrassed them.

He had also said he respects "#metoo" and values it, but cautioned against its misuse.

Sarja had also said that he has shared screen space with 60-70 actresses in the 150 movies he has acted in and has a good relationship with all of them.

Days after Sruthi's charge, Sarja on Thursday filed a Rs five defamation suit against her in a city court.

"There is no question of compromise because the pain is intense. Not only me, but my family, friends and above all, my fans in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are deeply hurt.

I don't want others to be sacrificed like this," Sarja had said after the KFCC's failed patch-up efforts.

"We have gone to court. You will come to know in the coming days who are behind this campaign against me," Sarja had said after the meeting.

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JD(S) leader G T Devegowda backs CM Siddaramaiah in MUDA row, taunts HDK

News Network

October 4,2024

Mysuru: Chairman of JD(S) core committee and Chamundeshwari constituency MLA G T Devegowda on Thursday expressed his solidarity with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah saying the latter need not resign, while lambasting leaders of his own party and alliance partner BJP, including Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy.

In his speech during Mysuru Dasara inauguration he said that if persons against whom FIR is registered have to resign, many leaders from all the three parties, including Opposition Leader R Ashoka, will have to resign.

“All are sitting in glass houses... Since I know Siddaramaiah well, I am talking about him. At a time when mines and real estate are ruling politics, Siddaramaiah has survived in politics. He has never done any favour,” Devegowda said.

He added, “Allegations against Siddaramaiah are unexpected and accidental. If the Governor and Chief Justice order an investigation, it does not mean that he should resign."

He continued, asking, "Have they told Siddaramaiah to resign or have they asked to imprison him? When a person becomes a Central minister, he or she should realise their dignity and responsibility. Instead of recognising the good work done by Siddaramaiah, they ask him to resign. Will Kumarswamy (facing an FIR) resign? Should Siddaramaiah, who has become CM with a support of 135 MLAs, resign?"

"Opposition leaders are not remembering the good work of earlier CMs Kengal Hanumanthaiah, Veerendra Patil, Ramakrishna Hegde, H D Deve Gowda or S M Krishna. Karnataka is a model state. It is a bad trend to topple an elected government which is doing good work,” he further said.

Devegowda added, “Siddaramaiah is Goddess Chamundeshwari’s ‘Varaputra’ and hence has her blessings during tough times. He won the election in Chamundeshwari Assembly constituency, when the BJP-JD(S) government was in power in 2006. With the blessings of the Goddess, he has held varied positions right from becoming an MLA for the first time in 1983. He presented 15 budgets and has become CM for a second time. He took H C Mahadevappa, a Dalit leader to the state level. Siddaramaiah has the support of Deputy CM D K Shivakumar as ‘Jodeththu’. Blessings of the beneficiaries of guarantee schemes are with him (Siddaramaiah).”

Siddaramaiah said, “Devegowda was a MUDA member. He knows the truth. Hence, he is saying this. His words have filled strength in me. ‘Satyameva Jayate’, Truth will always triumph.”

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