Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Nov 2: A woman, addressing a press meet here on Thursday November 1,  alleged that the then chairman of committee for prevention of sexual atrocities on women and children, V S Ugrappa, had brought pressure on her to withdraw a case of sexual atrocity against her daughter's tormentor.

"I am basically from Shivamogga but studied in this city. My daughter suffered sexual atrocity between February  2014 and November 2015. The son of my sister-in-law, who had completed BTech degree in Lucknow, happened to be culprit. Because Ugrappa was involved with the said committee, I approached him. Although initially he acted positive, later he urged me to withdraw my complaint," she stated.

"The accused in the case was charged under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Even after trying for bail nine times, the court has rejected his applications. Ugrappa told me during my second visit that these things are common, and advised me to withdraw the complaint, and clarified that he had pressure from New Delhi," she stated.

The woman claimed that she suffers from cancer and has only one kidney. Still, she says she is determined to continue to fight against the injustice. "Ugrappa was in a position to help me and  see that the guilty was punished. But he backtracked," she said.

Ugrappa, responding to the allegation, said that he does now know the woman and felt that BJP, which is facing certain defeat in Ballari constituency, would have instigated the woman to complain against him. He pointed out that the woman suddenly surfaced when polling is round the corner, and asked the people of the constituency not to lend credence to such claims.