YSR Congress Party MLA RK Roja approached the Hyderabad High Court on Friday, and sought the court to direct the Andhra Pradesh police to register a case against Penamaluru TDP MLA Bode Prasad.
Roja had filed a complaint with the Penamaluru police in Krishna district against Bode Prasad because he allegedly made derogatory comments against her.
In July, In response to Roja’s allegations in 'call money' racket, Bode Prasad said, “Is she a woman? My stomach has been burning for three-and-a-half years. Every time she refers to me as 'Bode Prasad - sex racket - call money'. I'm telling this in presence of reporters and members of our constituency. Based on her behaviour, our people will believe, if I say that she is a prostitute (vyabichari).”
“Or else, they will even believe if I say she is running a brothel. She accused me of being involved in a sex racket, but did she call me while running a brothel herself?" he further said.
"My complaint was filed on July 14 and it has not been registered as an FIR till now,” Roja's petition reportedly read. According to the New Indian Express, she termed the police’s inaction as “unconstitutional”. She also asked the court to direct the police to conduct an impartial probe, the Times of India reported.
Bode Prasad’s rant against Roja had sparked outrage in the YSRCP, and the party sought police action. At the time, YSRCP leaders alleged that the Penamaluru police refused to register an FIR against the TDP MLA, and stated that they will register only after obtaining permission from higher officials.
Roja had alleged that several TDP leaders were part of the ‘call money’ racket, and has also repeatedly named Bode Prasad as one of them. The ‘call money’ racket came to light in 2015 when some victims sought the help of Vijayawada Police Commissioner, alleging that they were being sexually exploited by money lenders. The racket came to be called ‘call money’ because people could call a money lender and receive a loan, which came at exorbitant interest rates. Women were allegedly sexually exploited when they failed to repay the loan. Venigalla Srinivas, who is among one of the accused, was said to be closely associated with Bode Prasad.