BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi, who was accused of revealing the name of the Tehelka sexual harassment victim, has told the National Commission of Women that she did not disclose the name or identity of the victim. On the contrary she alleged that the victim’s name was already in the public domain and the NCW took no action.
On Sunday, 24 hours after the NCW sought an explanation from her for revealing the identity of the victim on Twitter, Ms. Lekhi said: “No disclosure can be attributed to me as what has been “printed and published” cannot be imputed to me. The condition precedent for attracting Section 228A IPC is not satisfied.”
She claimed her twitter handle and instrument was “misused” and that the identity of the victim was already in the public domain. “May I mention the fact that the identity of the victim was in public domain even before the tweet and no action was taken by NCW with regard to the same. I do not for a moment suggest that action be not taken where warranted but I feel failure to take action in every case where action is warranted gives reason to believe that the decision to act or not is being guided by considerations extraneous to the purpose for which the Act is enacted and the Commission is constituted,” Ms. Lekhi has said in her response.
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Pointing out that no action was taken against Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, former NCW member Alka Lamba and Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi for revealing the names of victims in the past, Ms. Lekhi alleged that attempts were being made to slander her.
“Earlier a fake Twitter Account was also created. The intent is therefore obvious in this pattern of behaviour which seems motivated towards causing me embarrassment and annoyance,” she said.