KSWC to take up suo motu action on molestation complaints

Mysuru Karnataka: 27-09-2017: Not withstanding the rains locals and tourists alike in Mysuru thronged to the Open Street Festival on the Devaraja Urs Road in Mysuru on Wednesday night. PHOTO:M.A.SRIRAM

The Karnataka State Women’s Commission has decided to take suo motu action against complaints of molestation of women at the Open Street Festival in Mysuru on Saturday.

Commission chairperson Nagalakshmi Bai, who was in Mysuru on Monday, said complaints of molestation and eve-teasing at Krishnaraja Boulevard had appeared on various social media platforms.

Though the victims had not formally lodged a complaint, Ms. Bai said the commission would

suo motu take up three cases of molestation so that the police could inquire into them.

“I understand there were CCTV cameras installed at the venue. Let them check the footage and bring the culprits to book,” she said.

Ms. Bai said that the police should take suo motu action based on the complaints on social media since no aggrieved woman has come forward to lodge a formal complaint.

Action by police

Meanwhile, Mysuru Police Commissioner A. Subrahmanyeswara Rao on Monday said, “We are trying to get in touch with the people who have aired their grievances on social media. If we get specific details from them, we will register a suo motu complaint and investigate it.”

“We have come across around four complaints on social media, with certain allegations. Nobody complained to the police deployed there about harassment or misconduct. Even the police personnel did not come across any such issue. Neither the cameras nor the drones captured any images that warranted on-the-spot action,” he said.

The festival witnessed heavy rush and the visitors had complained of lack of police security.