Is Jana Sena MLA Arava Sridhar Facing Sexual Exploitation Allegations?
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Key Takeaways
Amaravati, Feb 3 (NationPress) On Tuesday, the police in Andhra Pradesh filed an FIR against Jana Sena MLA Arava Sridhar following serious allegations of sexual exploitation by a woman.
The FIR was registered under sections 318(2), 318(4), 88, and 351(2) of the Bharat Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), initiating an investigation into the matter.
In response to directives from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Kadapa district superintendent of police mandated the case's registration against the MLA representing Railway Koduru.
The woman sought intervention from the NHRC after her initial complaint did not lead to an FIR. She alleged that the MLA had exploited her over a year, using marriage as a pretext and coercing her into multiple abortions.
Identified as a government employee, she claimed in a selfie video that the exploitation began shortly after Sridhar's election as an MLA in 2024. She accused him of taking her to a secluded location where the assault occurred.
According to her, she underwent five abortions in the past year and faced continuous threats and torture from Sridhar. She alleged he even contacted her husband to compel him to divorce her.
In contrast, MLA Sridhar has vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that they stem from false propaganda and manipulated videos.
On Tuesday, he presented himself before a three-member committee set up by the Jana Sena to investigate the claims against him. Speaking to the media post-appearance, he expressed readiness to confront all accusations, stating, “No matter how many cases they file against me, I will face them.”
Sridhar described the issue as a personal matter and requested the media not to involve the political party. The Jana Sena, led by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, has appointed members T. Sivashankar, T. Ramadevi, and T.C. Varun to the panel examining the allegations against the Railway Koduru MLA.
As a coalition partner in the TDP-led NDA government, the party has instructed the committee to investigate media coverage concerning the allegations against Sridhar. He has been directed to appear before the committee within a week for clarification and to refrain from party activities until the report is submitted.