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Sexual harassment case filed against Orissa Speaker

BHUBANESWAR: Soon after the suspended Assistant Marshal, Gayatri Panda, filed a sexual harassment case against Orissa Assembly Speaker Maheswar Mohanty, he resigned.

The police have since started investigations into the case registered under Sections 506, 507, 509 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code.

Mr. Mohanty’s supporters have been holding rallies and demonstrations demanding that Information and Public Relations Minister Debasis Nayak resign, alleging that he was behind a conspiracy to defame their leader.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik later dropped Mr. Nayak from the Council of Ministers.

PTI reports:

Mr. Mohanty said on Monday that male politicians and government officials were particularly vulnerable to false allegations of sexual harassment.

He told reporters that he was a victim of such a false allegation.

“No one can rule out the possibility of a woman employee creating indiscipline in an office by threatening senior officers with false sexual harassment charges,” Mr. Mohanty said.

He said males, particularly politicians and others in public life, should be cautious while dealing with “undisciplined women employees.” “Anyone could be a victim like me,” he said.

“I am sure every male officer or politician will think twice before initiating action against woman employees,” Mr. Mohanty said, adding that Ms. Panda framed the charges against him after she was asked to explain her unauthorised absence from office.

“I issued a show cause notice to her on February 19 and she complained to the Assembly Secretary against me two days later,” Mr. Mohanty said, showing records. — PTI

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