TRS MLA who misbehaved with woman Collector arrested & released

Hyderabad, July 13: Police on Thursday arrested a legislator of Telangana's ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) on charges of misbehaving with a woman Collector. He was later released on bail. Shankar Nayak, a member of the Telangana assembly from Mahabubabad, was arrested on a complaint by Mahabubabad District Collector Preeti Meena.

Police took action after taking permission from Assembly Speaker Madhusudhana Chary. Nayak allegedly grabbed the Collector's upper arm during a plantation program in Mahabubabad town on Wednesday.

Police said a case under sections 353, 354 and 509 of the Indian Penal Code was registered against the MLA. He has been charged with assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty and insulting the modesty of a woman.

The case was registered on a complaint by the Collector, who was not satisfied with the MLA's apology.A police officer said the MLA was released on bail by the police station.

The woman officer felt offended by the legislator's behavior and complained to Chief Secretary S.P. Singh. The incident triggered a protest by employees in the Collector's office. They threatened to go on strike if action was not taken against Nayak.

Taking serious note of the incident, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao directed the MLA to meet the Collector and tender an unconditional apology. He also warned the MLA that he would be suspended from the party if he failed to mend his ways.

Nayak later met the Collector and tendered an apology. He clarified that he did not touch her deliberately. The Collector was not satisfied with the MLA's apology and lodged a complaint with the police.

An emergency meeting of the Telangana IAS Officers Association, at its meeting on Wednesday evening, condemned the MLA's behavior. In the past, the Collector had complained to the Chief Secretary against the MLA for sitting in her chamber in her absence.