Reacting to the fast taken up by various women rights organisations demanding the arrest of film director Ram Gopal Verma in the city, Home Minister N. Chinarajappa on Wednesday asked Commissioner of Police T. Yoganand to take necessary steps as per law.
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Yoganand confirmed that the Home Minister had directed action within the legal purview.
“We will take action after getting a fresh legal opinion,” he said.
However, according to a late night development, the MVP police reportedly booked a case against the film director under IPC Sections 504 and 509.
‘Derogatory remarks’
Earlier, members of various women rights organisations began a fast here in protest against the derogatory comments allegedly made by Mr. Ram Gopal Varma against women during a TV show.
Members of Progressive Organisation of Women (POW), AIDWA, and Mahila Samkhiya came under one banner to launch the fast at Gandhi Statue, near the GVMC.
Speaking to the media, Lakshmi of the POW said the police were not heeding to our pleas despite repeated attempts to lodge a complaint.
“They (police) have been dissuading us saying that it is a non-cognizable office and not within their jurisdiction. How can IPC Sections 508 and 509 be non-cognizable? The Telangana police have booked cases under the same Sections and they have also invoked the IT Act, which need no jurisdiction,” she said. Supporting the cause taken up by the women rights organisations, CPI(M) State secretary P. Madhu had sent a letter to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, demanding the arrest of the film director and registering of cases under the relevant sections.
