Ugrappa shielding POSCO accused, alleges woman ahead of bypolls

Bengaluru: Ballari Congress candidate VS Ugrappa has been accused of shielding a man, accused of sexually harassing a three-year-old by forcing the victim’s mother to take back the sexual harassment case against him. 

On Thursday, November 1, just two days prior to the by-polls to be helg on November 3, the victims’ mother Mamtha Singh at a press meet alleged that the then chairman of a committee on Prevention of Sexual Violence against Women and Children had asked her to forget everything that had happened back then.

Speaking to press persons, Mamtha said that the accused, her sister-in-law’s son had repeatedly molested her daughter for nearly ten months way back in 2014. Subsequently a case was filed under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

“The case is still going on, and the bail plea made by the accused has been denied nine times,” she said. Since she was being pressurised to withdraw the case she had approached Ugrappa seeking his help in the case. Though initially Ugrappa was very supportive and even spoke to the police and public prosecutor on her behalf, later he called her and forced her to withdraw the case, she alleged.

She also requested Ballari people not to vote for Ugrappa.