MADURAI
A 36-year-old woman, who worked as Worksite Supervisor under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in Ramaiyanpatti panchayat here has alleged sexual exploitation, including rape, by the husband of the panchayat clerk for at least four years.
While she came forward with the support of her husband recently to file a complaint against the accused, R. Thirupathi, Vadipatti police have been accused of filing a weak case without invoking provisions dealing with rape. It has also been blamed for filing the case with G. Kesavan, the husband, as complainant even though the affected woman was willing to file the case in her name.
The woman said that the exploitation began in 2013-14 when Thirupathi, who was acting as the de facto panchayat clerk and exerted influence over the panchayat president, pressurised her to manipulate MGNREGS records for him to swindle money.
“Owing to fear of losing job, I obliged. But later he forced me to have sex with him by threatening that he will frame me for fudging the records,” the woman said. The exploitation continued over the next four years with threats of exposing her ‘illicit’ relationship to her husband.
“I did not know this. But I could see that she was clearly disturbed and her health deteriorated,” Kesavan said. Till 2017, she tried to find another job with no success, he added. Though she stopped from taking MGNREGS work since July 2017, the exploitation continued for another year.
In August 2018, when Kesavan came to know from villagers, he was furious at his wife and wanted to divorce her. “Only later, I understood what she went through,” he said. Owing to shame, the couple said they contemplated ending their lives many times but did not, considering the future of their two children.
When they decided to move out of the village, they gradually came to know that a few more women were exploited by the person.
Kesavan’s wife and another woman submitted petitions at Madurai Collector’s office on January 21. Organisations like All India Progressive Women’s Association and All India Agricultural Labourers Association came in support later. The second women, however, refused to pursue the case due to threats and fear.
Mathivanan, associated with Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist), who intervened in support of the victims, said that though an enquiry was conducted by Social Welfare department, the outcome was not known. “The accused used intimidating tactics by bringing in large number of people from the village for the inquiry,” he alleged.
A senior official from the Social Welfare department said that the inquiry report was yet to be submitted to the Collector.
Meanwhile, the issue reported to Vadipatti police station in the first week of February was not acted on until February 16, Kesavan alleged. “The woman was enquired in an insensitive manner by a male Inspector. Only after we insisted, a woman constable accompanied the Inspector,” said J. Muthurakku of AIALA. Mr. Mathivanan alleged that the accused was, however, enquired in the presence of his advocates.
The police have now registered a case under Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act and sections of IPC that deal with criminal intimidation and arrested the accused.
Addressing the media here on Tuesday, R. Murali of People’s Union for Civil Liberties demanded alteration of the FIR. “Moreover, there should be protection to the woman’s family and those supporting her. The panchayat clerk should be dismissed and an inquiry conducted on irregularities,” he said.
Stating that the issue had not been brought to his notice, Superintendent of Police N. Manivannan said that the complainant could directly approach his office, if needed. “There should be no issues in altering the FIR as per the complaint provided by the woman,” he said.