Karnataka lawmaker caught on camera smooching nurse

Karnataka BJP MLA Renukacharya’s embarrassment over the sexual harassment charges levelled against him by a nurse turned worse yesterday when she released photographs of the legislator smooching her to the media.

The nurse Jayalakshmi, who has already lodged a complaint with the National Women’s Commission against the Renukacharya, convened a press conference in Bangalore on Monday and publicly released photographs showing the legislator kissing her.

With television news channels beaming the photographs, the sexual harassment charges against the BJP MLA have come under sharp focus once again. The nurse has also accused Renukacharya of pestering her to marry him for the last several months.

Jayalakshmi’s disclosure comes after Renukacharya denied the charges of sexual harassment levelled against him by the nurse, who is also the Secretary of Green City Charitable and Education Trust in Bangalore.

“I have been receiving threatening calls. The callers had threatened to release my nude photographs. So, I released the photographs in my possession”, she told reporters.

The nurse, who had also attempted suicide about a month ago over the matter, said she was forced to approach the National Women’s Commission in New Delhi, as she does not trust the State Women’s Commission, which is headed by a BJP woman. “The State Women’s Commission is headed by Pramila Nesargi, who is also a BJP leader. When the accused also belongs to the same party, I don’t think I will secure justice here. So, I went to New Delhi”, he said.

Jayalakshmi claimed that she had brought the matter to the notice of BJP leaders in Karnataka, including Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, but to no avail. “Now it is the party and the Government to take note of the matter and initiate appropriate action against the MLA”, the nurse said.

Jayalakshmi further said that there was a threat to her life. “But, I have not been given any security”, she claimed.