Woman approaches Karnataka women’s panel over sexual harassment, blackmail by ascetic

BENGALURU: A woman has lodged a complaint with the Karnataka State Commission for Women, alleging that a well-known ascetic from Bagalkote district "sexually harassed" her and is attempting to blackmail her. Based on the complaint, the Commission has directed the police to investigate the matter.

"A complaint was filed last evening. I don't know who the person is, but the complaint is from a woman accusing a swamiji from Bagalkote of sexually harassing and blackmailing her by threatening to release her private videos on social media if she doesn't cooperate," the Commission's Chairperson Nagalakshmi Choudhary told reporters on Tuesday, according to news agency PTI.

Choudhary said she had forwarded the complaint to the police and spoke with the Deputy Commissioner of Police, who assured her that they would inquire into the allegations and submit a report.

She added that the complainant did not meet her in person and had sent the complaint through someone else.

"Let the identity remain confidential. We (the Commission) have asked the police to inquire into the allegations and submit a preliminary report," Choudhary said, adding that the panel will ensure the woman is not subjected to any further harassment.


(The victim's identity has not been revealed to protect her privacy as per Supreme court directives on cases related to sexual assault)