Bhubaneswar, July 4 (UNI) Biju Janata Dal (BJD) General Secretary and spokesperson Lekhashree Samantsinghar today lodged a formal complaint against BJP MLA from Nilagiri, Santosh Khatua, for allegedly making highly derogatory and sexually offensive remarks against her, thereby outraging the modesty of a woman in public.
She filed the complaint at the Mahila Police Station in the state capital, requesting the Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) to treat it as a First Information Report (FIR) and initiate an immediate investigation into the incident.
In her complaint, Samantsinghar stated that the BJP legislator went so far as to portray her as a prostitute and a kingpin of a sex racket.
Describing Khatua’s public remarks as a direct outrage to her modesty, the BJD leader urged the IIC to take cognisance of the matter, register an FIR against the MLA, and ensure his prompt arrest.
Samantsinghar alleged that Khatua not only demeaned her personally but also insulted the dignity of every woman in Odisha and India, as well as all female political workers, regardless of their party affiliation.
She further stated that the MLA’s utterances were so vulgar and offensive that it was difficult for her to even describe them in detail. A video clip of the offensive statement was also attached to her complaint.
According to her, Khatua’s remarks constitute a cognizable offence and violate the rights of women in the workplace.
The BJD spokesperson clarified that she had earlier raised concerns about Khatua’s alleged involvement in elephant poaching at Nilagiri and accused him of sheltering the accused at his farmhouse.
Samantsinghar concluded that Khatua’s behaviour amounted to defamation and was a deliberate attempt to damage her reputation and reduce her stature in the public eye.
