The Hindu : New Delhi News : Former Minister denies charge

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 20, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Former Minister denies charge

J. Venkatesan

Nalini Netto case: Supreme Court posts final hearing to August 17

NEW DELHI: Former Minister N. Neelalohithadasan Nadar on Monday denied in the Supreme Court the charge of sexual harassment made against him by Nalini Netto, IAS officer.

A Bench of Justice N. Santosh Hegde and Justice S.B. Sinha on February 21 had stayed an order of the Kerala High Court transferring the case filed by Ms. Nalini from a judge, who had kept the judgment ready, to another judge and issued notice to the former Minister.

The proceedings pending before the second judge were stayed on two petitions filed by Ms. Nalini and the State Government assailing the High Court order dated December 12, 2004. On Monday, the Bench posted the matter for final hearing on August 17.

In her petition, Ms. Nalini alleged that she was a victim of sexual harassment at work place by Mr. Nadar, who was a Minister. She alleged that Mr. Nadar had called her to his room and tried to forcibly molest her but she pushed him and stormed out of the room.

On a complaint from her, Mr. Nadar was facing trial at the First Class Judicial Magistrate Court III and the trial lasted for seven months, in which evidence was recorded and arguments were heard.

Even as the Magistrate posted the matter for final disposal, Mr. Nadar filed a case in the High Court challenging the closing of evidence of a defence witness. The High Court stayed the pronouncement of the judgment by the trial court for over a month and later in its final order on January 13 transferred the case to Judicial Magistrate Court II and directed recording of the evidence of one witness, who was abroad. The petitioner said the JM Court II was now hearing defence arguments.

Denying the allegations, Mr. Nadar submitted that it was a false case filed by Ms. Nalini to escape from the proceedings taken against her for misconduct in service and because the Cabinet decision was taken at his instance to transfer her to another department.

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