As the Metoo movement is taking its toll based on a complaint by south Indian popular actress Sruthi Hariharan, a case has been filed for an attempt to outrage the modesty of a woman against popular South Indian film actor Arjun Sarja .
Sruthi Hariharan has played roles in several Kannada films in a post on her Facebook page praising '#Metoo" movement, had a week ago accused Arjun Sarja of "lewd and complete unprofessional behavior" with her during the shooting for a bilingual film in 2016.
Her complaint with the Cubbon Park police came a day after Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC)'s attempt to bring about a conciliation between the two actors failed.
"Based on a complaint from Sruthi Hariharan, we have registered a case under section 354, 354A, 506 and 509 of the IPC. The main content of it is that he misbehaved with her. We will investigate all the aspects mentioned in the complaint," DCP (Central Bengaluru) D Devaraj told reporters.
Section 354 relates to assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty, 506 to punishment for criminal intimidation and 509 to word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman. She has also mentioned the manager and two others as the witnesses, Devaraj said, adding, "We will inquire with them too."
Sruthi has alleged that Sarja had sexually abused her since 2015. Recalling one incident in December 2015, when she was travelling with her team to her house in her car, she alleged that Sarja came following her vehicle and when it stopped at the Devanahalli traffic signal, he allegedly made a sexually explicit comment.
"Sarja asked me 'come know, to resort.' When I asked him the purpose, he replied, 'To have pleasant time, which I have been asking but repeatedly you are denying. Today I have full time and there is no one in my room," Sruthi alleged in her complaint.
The actress further stated that the #MeToo movement gave her strength to share her story with people.
After Sruthi's Facebook post last week, Sarja had told a TV channel that he has great respect for womanhood from childhood, adding he was never involved in any incident that is disrespectful of women or embarrassed them. He had also said he respects "#metoo" and values it, but cautioned against it being misused.
Sarja had also said that in 150 movies that he has acted in, he has shared screen space with 60-70 actresses and has good relationship with all of them.
Days after Sruthi's charge, Sarja had on Thursday said that he had filed a defamation suit against her in a city court. "There is no question of compromise because the pains are intense. Not only me, but my family, friends and above all, my fans in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are deeply hurt. I don't want others to be sacrificed like this," Sarja had said after the KFCC's failed patch-up efforts.
"We have gone to court. You will come to know in the coming days who are behind this campaign against me,"Sarja had said after the meeting.
