FIR Filed Against BJP Leader Arun Kumar Puthila for Sexual Harassment
MANGALURU: An FIR has been lodged against BJP leader Arun Kumar Puthila at the Dakshina Kannada Women Police Station over allegations of sexual harassment.
The case, registered on July 1, invokes IPC Sections 354A (Sexual Harassment), 417 (Cheating), and 506 (Criminal Intimidation).
The incident reportedly took place in June at a hotel in Bengaluru.
According to the complaint, the woman stated that she was an admirer of Puthila due to his Hindu activism and had supported him through social media. In June, she alleged that he invited her to a hotel in Bengaluru, where he sexually harassed her. She further alleged that he blackmailed her by claiming to possess photos and videos of them.
Puthila, who had contested the 2023 Assembly Election as an independent candidate after rebelling against the BJP from Puttur, narrowly lost to Congress candidate Ashok Rai. The BJP was relegated to third place in that election.
Before the Parliament elections, Arun had returned to BJP.
