AICC panel starts inquiry into allegations against MLA

Sahara Samay

Patna, May 5: A two-member panel sent by the AICC today began its probe into the allegations of sexual harassment levelled by a former bodyguard against Congress MLA Sunita Devi, who had resigned as the state Mahila Congress chief on "moral grounds" in the wake of the controversy.

AICC (Women cell) General Secretaries Mahjamin Khan and Sheikha Kapoor, soon after their arrival from New Delhi, called Sunita Devi at the state party headquarters here.

Sunita Devi explained her position and rubbished the charges against her, a senior party leader said pleading anonymity. Sunita Devi alleged that the policeman was playing into the hands of her political opponents and had tried to "blackmail" her.

Emerging from the party headquarters, Khan and Kapoor told reporters that they examined Sunita "and would submit a report to the AICC on return to New Delhi tomorrow".

Bal Yogeshwar Sharma, a constable and a former bodyguard of Sunita Devi, who had levelled the sexual harassment charges against her and was placed under suspension on Saturday, was likely to be contacted by the probe panel for his version, party sources said.

Taking a serious view of the allegations, state Congress president Sadanand Singh had also constituted a three-member committee to hold an impartial inquiry.

Sharma has accused Sunita Devi, a Congress legislator from Korha in Katihar district, of having exploited him sexually when he was posted as her bodyguard after the 2005 assembly election.