Orissa Speaker quits on sexual abuse charges
Facing sexual abuse charges, Orissa Speaker Maheswar Mohanty resigned on Monday and a senior minister was sacked for allegedly instigating a woman employee of the assembly to sully his reputation.
By PTI |
BHUBANESWAR: Facing sexual abuse charges, Orissa Speaker Maheswar Mohanty resigned on Monday and a senior minister was sacked for allegedly instigating a woman employee of the assembly to sully his reputation.
The day���s developments brought to the fore the murkier side of state politics. Mohanty, who has been resisting stepping down following charges by Gayatri Panda, an assistant marshal, has refuted the allegations.
The Speaker, against whom a case of sexual harassment has been registered following an FIR lodged with police by Panda, gave his resignation to deputy speaker Prahallad Dora.
In a related development, chief minister Naveen Patnaik dismissed information and public relations minister Debashish Naik who had allegedly instigated Gayatri to frame Mohanty.
The speaker had said that the charge against him was part of a conspiracy in which influential people were involved. The criminal case against Mohanty was registered on March 29, two days after the lady assembly employee lodged an FIR through a group of women activists accusing him of sexually harassing her.
Mohanty said members ignored the sanctity and dignity of the Speaker���s post on political grounds though he had suggested a probe into the matter by a House committee and had delegated the power of nominating its chairman to the deputy speaker.
In his resignation letter, Mohanty said disciplinary action against an undisciplined employee had led to levelling of false and baseless allegations, pointing fingers at the dignity of the legislative assembly. He said members should remember that if indiscipline is overlooked like this, in future any woman employee could level false charges against government officials trying to enforce indiscipline. It is applicable in public life too, he said.
The day���s developments brought to the fore the murkier side of state politics. Mohanty, who has been resisting stepping down following charges by Gayatri Panda, an assistant marshal, has refuted the allegations.
The Speaker, against whom a case of sexual harassment has been registered following an FIR lodged with police by Panda, gave his resignation to deputy speaker Prahallad Dora.
In a related development, chief minister Naveen Patnaik dismissed information and public relations minister Debashish Naik who had allegedly instigated Gayatri to frame Mohanty.
The speaker had said that the charge against him was part of a conspiracy in which influential people were involved. The criminal case against Mohanty was registered on March 29, two days after the lady assembly employee lodged an FIR through a group of women activists accusing him of sexually harassing her.
Mohanty said members ignored the sanctity and dignity of the Speaker���s post on political grounds though he had suggested a probe into the matter by a House committee and had delegated the power of nominating its chairman to the deputy speaker.
ADVERTISEMENT
In his resignation letter, Mohanty said disciplinary action against an undisciplined employee had led to levelling of false and baseless allegations, pointing fingers at the dignity of the legislative assembly. He said members should remember that if indiscipline is overlooked like this, in future any woman employee could level false charges against government officials trying to enforce indiscipline. It is applicable in public life too, he said.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
