TVK MLA accused of sending obscene messages to Kallakurichi Collector: Can POSH Act be used?

C Arul Vignesh, the TVK MLA from Kallakurichi has been accused of  sending obscene WhatsApp messages to Kallakurichi District Collector JE Padmaja. But the legislator has denied the allegations and blamed the opposition for playing “dirty politics”. 

However, a report by The New Indian Express quoted Villupuram range DIG A Arularasu who revealed that the MLA had reportedly misbehaved with the Collector nearly two months ago. The present allegations are yet to be verified, the DIG told the newspaper. 

Though the Collector has not filed a police complaint against the TVK MLA, reports suggest that Collector JE Padmaja had complained to higher officials about the MLA’s behaviour.

The allegations also raise questions about whether the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, 2013, can be invoked in this case.

When TNM asked a senior IAS officer if a PoSH (Prevention of Sexual Harassment) Committee, officially known as the Internal Committee (IC), under the POSH Act of 2013, could intervene, he said that would require an official complaint from the Collector or someone on behalf of her. 

However, there is an inherent complication, the officer pointed out. Though there are POSH committees in every Collectorate,  it is headed by the Collector.  In this case therefore, the Collector will have to approach the Legislature or the government to lodge a POSH complaint. She also has the option of filing a police complaint.

Meanwhile addressing the media on Tuesday, November 10, Arul Vignesh denied sending any inappropriate WhatsApp message to the Kallakurichi Collector.

“Everyone came to know about the rumours spread through social media. I have always maintained high respect for government officers. False messages are being spread against me on social media,” he claimed.

A day earlier, DMK MP Kanimozhi alleged that the TVK MLA stalked the Collector and tried trespassing into her residence. He also sent her obscene messages and trespassed into the Collector’s house, she alleged.  “Reports are circulating on social media that TVK MLA Arul Vignesh sent obscene text messages to the District Collector of Kallakurichi, went to the collector’s home while drunk and harassed them, and that a dedicated security officer was subsequently assigned to the Collector.”

“Under this incompetent TVK administration, law and order has broken down across Tamil Nadu, with murders, robberies and other crimes occurring one after another. Now, a TVK MLA has left even the District Collector without protection. In that case, what protection does the Chief Secretary think he can provide this collector simply by assigning a dedicated security officer?”

Dismissing the allegation, the legislator said the Collector’s bungalow was always guarded and under CCTV surveillance. “How could I enter such a guarded place? I am ready to undergo a blood test to prove that I have not done anything wrong. The charges are orchestrated to defame me and the ruling party,” he said.

Meanwhile, the DIG has said that no additional security has been provided to the Collector.  “The Collector generally has a gunman and several personal security officers at her residence and office. So, no additional security has to be deployed,” Arularasu said. 

Amidst the complaints against the misbehaviour of MLAs, TVK president and Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has summoned all the MLAs to attend an urgent meeting on November 11 at the party’s headquarters in Panaiyur. 

TVK general secretary and Minister for Water Resources N Anand (Bussy Anand), and senior office-bearers of the party are likely to address the meeting. 

In the assault case of Deputy Speaker and TVK MLA Ravi Shankar, strangely no case has been registered. But an internal probe by a committee led by N Anand has been initiated to verify the incident. The Deputy Speaker was caught on camera assaulting a man identified as Karthik Kumar, a member of the TVK. According to Karthik, the Deputy Speaker assaulted him when he approached him to request basic amenities for his constituency. After the video of the assault surfaced, Karthik was allegedly forced to record a video statement absolving the Deputy Speaker of any wrongdoing. He said that the TVK MLA had threatened to kill him and his family if he did not make the video.