Women's agencies differ on HY Meti scandal

Bengaluru: Two premier government agencies entrusted with the task of protecting women rights have taken different stands on the H.Y. Meti sex tape episode.

While the state Women's Commission is ready to look into the episode afresh to see if the accuser woman was harassed, the V.S. Ugrappa committee virtually dismissed it as a non-issue by construing that it was consensual sex, therefore, there was no need for an inquiry.

When contacted, Nagalakshmibayi, the state women's commission chairperson told Deccan Chronicle that she tried to reach the victim but her attempts failed.
“I left a message with the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police to connect me to her. Even that effort  failed,” she said.

Asked if the woman was pressured not to lodge a complaint against the former minister though she had complained against four others, Ms Nagalakshmibayi said, “I am waiting for a formal complaint to be registered by the local police. Then, I will take up the harassment angle,” she said. However, Mr Ugrappa who is heading an expert committee on atrocities on women and children, said: “If it is consensual sex what can I do?”

Asked if the woman was under pressure not to lodge a complaint against Mr Meti, he said, “I do not reply in ifs and buts. I think the media should stop writing about this.” 

Mr Ugrappa, who is a close associate of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, has been maintaining from the day the incident was reported that there was a big conspiracy behind this, so it should not be treated as an issue of a  leader exploiting a woman who was in need of financial support.