Kerala: CPI(M) MLA PK Sasi suspended over sexual harassment charges
What's the story
The ruling CPI(M) in Kerala today suspended its Shoranur MLA, P K Sasi for six months from the party's primary membership over sexual harassment charges.
The charges were leveled by a woman party worker.
The decision in this regard was taken at the CPI(M) state committee meeting at AKG Centre, the party's headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram.
The left party issued the statement in a release.
Accusation
A DYFI leader had accused Sasi of sexual harassment
The party said Sasi was suspended from primary membership after it was found that he had conversed with a woman worker "in a manner not befitting a party leader".
The decision will be implemented after getting the ratification from the party's central committee, the release said.
A woman Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) leader had accused Sasi of trying to sexually abuse her.
Findings
Not sexual assault, Sasi had conversed inappropriately: Probe report
A two-member party appointed commission, comprising law minister, A K Balan, and Kannur MP and central committee member P K Sreemathy, which probed the allegations had in its report stated that Sasi had not sexually assaulted the complainant, but had conversed with her inappropriately.
Sasi, Palakkad district secretariat member, had earlier dismissed the allegation saying it was a "well-planned conspiracy" to malign him politically.
Details
The CPI(M) superiors received the complaint on August 14
Sasi today said he accepts the CPI(M)'s decision and would always remain with the party.
The DYFI leader had filed the complaint alleging the MLA tried to sexually abuse her at the party office at Manarcaud, Palakkad.
The complaint had been sent to CPI(M) politburo member Brinda Karat on August 14 and via an e-mail to CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury as well.