VCK leader Vikraman booked for sexually harassing Dalit woman lawyer

Following a complaint by a Dalit woman lawyer, the Chennai police, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) spokesperson and Bigg Boss fame R Vikraman under sections for rape, cheating, defamation and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

 

The woman had said that Vikraman harassed and financially abused her under the pretext of a romantic relationship.

 

The First Information Report (FIR) has been registered based on the direction of the Special Court for the trial of cases under SC/ST (POA) Act. Principal Judge Alli had passed an order on October 20 directing the registration of a case. The court heard a private petition filed by the woman lawyer asking for an FIR to be registered.

 

 

 

The woman lawyer, a notable anti-caste, Ambedkarite lawyer and a Dalit rights activist, came forth with the allegations in May this year that Vikraman inflicted casteist, emotional, sexual and financial abuse against her under the pretext of a romantic relationship. She wrote a letter to VCK party president Thol Thirumavalavan on April 19 alleging that she had sustained huge financial and emotional damage because of Vikraman.

 

She alleged that he abused her for a prolonged period of time by exploiting her lowered caste vulnerabilities. She sought the party to constitute a committee to probe the allegations, and take disciplinary action against Vikraman.

 

The party, on May 2, constituted an internal inquiry committee of five members, including VCK deputy general secretary Gauthama Sanna. The committee was directed to conduct an inquiry with both the parties, record their statements within 15 days and submit a report to Thirumavalavan within 20 days. However, after the inquiry, no further information or the report was furnished to the complainant. The complainant also alleged that she was not given a copy of the report despite relentlessly asking for it. On July 16, the lawyer took to social media seeking the committee to furnish the report and to take action against Vikraman.

 

 

 

Soon after this, on July 17, Vikraman also took to social media and vehemently denied the allegations of abuse levelled against him. He also claimed that they were acquaintances and the relationship was “strictly platonic”.