R B Jagadish
Daijiworld Media Network - Karkala (SP)

Karkala, Apr 15: A case stands registered against R Vivekananda Shenoy, convener of GSB Hitarakshana Vedike here. Shenoy, who also happens to be a rowdy sheeter, has been accused of cheating a woman belonging to GSB community besides inflicting mental and sexual harassment mental torture to her besides posing death threat. The case was registered on the basis of complaint filed by Soubhagya Nayak, a resident of Nirmala Comound near Gandhi Maidan here.

After her husband, who was working as conductor of a private bus, died in an accident last year, Soubhagya faced a bleak future as the family had lost its breadwinner. Out of her two children, younger son, Sanketh, suffers from heart-related ailments. At a time when the family was facing a crisis, Vivekananda Shenoy, allegedly making use of his position as the convener of GSB Hitarakshana Vedike, approached her often and made promises to help her, like claiming insurance amount of her husband, and providing medical help to Sanketh with financial assistance from GSB philanthropists. It is said that making use of the position the lady was in, he collected money from many leaders of the Vedike in the name of Soubhagya, which he retained with him. It is said that when Soubhagya questioned him about not handing over the money to her, he threatened to turn her into a destitute, bring disrepute to her publicly, etc.

On a complaint made by Soubhagya, a case under different section of Indian Penal Code stand registered. Case No 38/2015 has been allotted by the town police station.

It may be recalled that during the convention of GSB Hitarakshana Vedike on March 29 this year at Saraswati Manjunath Pai Hall here, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike ( KRV - Praveen Shetty faction) had organized strong protest against the above injustice. Hundreds of KRV activists had gathered at the entrance to the convention and raised slogans against Shenoy. There was exchange of strong words between activists of both the sides, and the situation was about to turn into physical fight. The policemen had intervened, and succeeded in convincing KRV activists to come to the police station.

KRV Udupi district president, C M Prasannakumar Shetty, expressed happiness at the registration of the case and termed it as victory of truth. He said KRV intervened and helped the woman as GSB leaders did not come to her rescue at the time of crisis. He said that KRV will never give up on this issue, and will support the woman till she gets justice.