CPI(M) Suspends MLA For 6 Months Over Sexual Harassment Complaint

A CPI(M) member had written to senior women leaders, alleging sexual harassment by PK Sasi.

File image of PK Sasi.

(Photo: The News Minute)

The CPI(M) on Monday, 26 November, suspended MLA PK Sasi for six months over the complaint of sexual harassment filed against him by a party colleague. The complainant, a DYFI leader, had accused PK Sasi of sexually harassing her, calling her up often and speaking to her inappropriately.

The party’s decision comes after several meetings of a commission, which was probing the allegations against the MLA, and the top leadership of the party in Thiruvananthapuram.

The party was forced to take a stand as the woman had written to senior women leaders expressing her disappointment.

The Left party’s action assumes further significance as the 13th session of the Kerala Assembly is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, 27 November.

According to the reports, Sasi has stated that he will accept the party’s decision. “The party is part of my life, I will accept the party’s decision with open arms,” he told Asianet News.

The complaint against him was filed by a woman worker of the Democratic Youth Federation, the youth wing of the CPI(M), in August.

The complainant had also attached the audio clips of the conversations she had had with the MLA, where the MLA allegedly used lewd language, in her complaint.

After the complaint, the CPI(M) had appointed a commission to probe into the allegations. Minister AK Balan and MP PK Sreemathy were members of the committee. Though the commission had submitted a report to the party leadership, the exact findings are yet to be accessed.

AK Balan didn’t respond to media queries when asked about the action against Sasi.

The party had received flak after Sasi led a march in Palakkad, while the party’s decision on the sexual harassment complaint was still pending.

Meanwhile, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala has demanded that the police file a case suo motu against Sasi since the party has found him guilty.

"It is not the party that should decide punishment on a sexual harassment case, it is the police and court. In a state that abides by the rule of law, that is what should happen. The party's decision is a mere eyewash. After six months of suspension, Sasi will be back as a powerful leader," Chennithala said.

(Published in an arrangement with The News Minute.)