In fresh trouble for former Karnataka minister Ramesh Jarkiholi, an FIR was registered against him on Friday on a complaint by the woman allegedly involved in the sex-for-job controversy.
The FIR was registered after the woman released her third video statement earlier in the day during which she announced to file a complaint against Jarkiholi through her lawyer Jagadish Kumar. She added that she got the courage to file a complaint because of the support from political leaders and organisations besides the people’s blessings.
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The woman’s lawyer, who met City Police Commissioner Kamal Pant at his office earlier in the day and handed over the copy of the complaint, was directed to file a complaint at the Cubbon Park Police Station following which the FIR was registered, sources said.
The lawyer after registering the FIR told the media that he would seek police security for the woman as Jarkiholi is an influential man.
The FIR has been registered under various Section 354A (sexual harassment), Section 506 (criminal intimidation), Section 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace), Section 376C (sexual intercourse by a person in authority), and Section 417 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code, added sources.
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Jarkiholi has, however, so far claimed innocence and stated that he was ready for a legal battle against the alleged conspiracy.
The MLA from Gokak further said his “game will start now”, adding he is “capable enough” to face more such complaints.
Jarkiholi, who resigned earlier this month in the wake of the controversy, urged the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the matter to first investigate the FIR registered against him.
In the video clip which went viral earlier this month, Jarkiholi can be seen seeking sexual favours from an unidentified woman with the offer of a government job. The video went viral after several Kannada television channels aired the images from the alleged 'sex CD' that claimed to have the BJP leader in a compromising position with the woman.