Banoth Shankar Naik held for molestation'

WARANGAL: MLA Banoth Shankar Naik was arrested on Thursday morning after Mahbubabad collector Dr Preethi Meena registered a complaint against the MLA for misbehaving with her during the Haritha Haram programme on Wednesday. Mr Naik had apologised to Ms Meena on Wednesday evening after being ordered to do so by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao but the collector refused to be appeased and filed the complaint on Wednesday night.

On Thursday morning, Mr Naik surrendered in front of the town police station. He was later released on station bail and self-bond. Mahbubabad superintendent of police N. Koti Reddy said that on receiving the complaint from the collector against the MLA, a case was registered vide Cr. No 230/2017 under section 353 (Assault to deter public servant from discharge of duty), 354 (Assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 509 (Word, gesture or Act intended to insult the modesty of a woman) of the IPC.
“Thorrur DSP G. Rajaratnam has been appointed as the investigating officer in view of the sensitivity of the issue. Mr Shankar Naik has been arrested and issued notices under Section 41(a) CrPC. Charge sheet will be filed in this case as per the merits and findings of the investigation in due course,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ms Meena went to Hyderabad to attend a general body meeting of the IAS Officers Association, which is going to take a decision regarding the issue. Meanwhile, Opposition parties in the district criticised Mr Naik for his indecent behaviour against the Collector Meena.