New Delhi, May 17: The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted interim protection from arrest to Indian Youth Congress President B V Srinivas in a sexual harassment case lodged in Assam.
A bench of Supreme Court Justices B R Gavai and Sanjay Karol noted that the alleged incident happened in February 2023 in Raipur and the complaint was lodged in April 2023 in Assam. However, the complainant, in her interviews with the media never spoke about the allegation of sexual harassment against Srinivas.
“Prima facie, taking into consideration the delay of almost two months in lodging the FIR, will entitle the petitioner to interim protection. We direct that in the event of arrest, the petitioner shall be released on anticipatory bail on furnishing solvent sureties to the sum of Rs 50,000”, the bench observed.
The apex court has asked Srinivas to appear before the investigating officer on May 22 and on the subsequent dates as and when directed by the officer. The court will take up the matter again in July 2023.
The top court also directed the petitioner to cooperate with the inquiry being carried out with the National Commission for Women.
On May 5, the Gauhati High Court rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Srinivas in a case lodged by Angkita Dutta, accusing him of causing mental agony to her.
In a series of tweets, Dutta had alleged that IYC president Srinivas BV was a sexist and chauvinistic person, who has been harassing her and discriminating based on gender.
Dutta also alleged that she had earlier informed the matter to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, but no action was initiated in the matter.
She also filed a complaint at the Dispur police station alleging torture by Srinivas.
Following Angkita Dutta, Srinivas B.V was booked under Sections 509, 294, 341, 352, 354, 354A, and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) along with Section 67 of the Information Technology Act.
