The Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Monday issued another notice to the woman seeking her cooperation in the probe into the sex CD scandal. The notice was issued to seek her assistance in investigations and to inform her that the desired security would be provided, sources said.
The woman, who has so far remained elusive and made appearances only via videos from undisclosed locations, has alleged that the SIT was siding with the accused and not providing security. She also accused the SIT of forcing her parents to give a statement favouring the accused.
However, SIT officials said that they were ready to record her statement according to her convenience and ready to provide security of her choice.
After a high drama on Monday, advocate Jagadish Kumar claimed that the court had granted permission to record her statement. However, a senior counsel stated that it was not possible for the the court to grant permission to record her statement under Section 164 Cr. PC as it was not as per rules.
Earlier in the day, heavy security was deployed at the magistrate court here in anticipation of the woman to appear before the magistrate to give a statement. She, however, did not appear.
The woman in question has shot off letters to the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court of India and the High Court of Karnataka appealing for justice and protection as well as supervision of the investigations. She also made a slew of allegations.
In the letter, she said that she was a rape victim and filed a complaint against the former Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi.
She alleged that he was highly influential and had already threatened her with dire consequences.
“He may go to any extent to clear the charges levelled against him. I have already expressed my serious apprehension about frequent threats being caused to me and my parents by Ramesh Jarkiholi and his followers . I have also expressed my apprehension that there have been threats to myself and my parents from Jarkiholi. And, I have requested the Special Investigation Team seeking protection for myself and my parents,” she said, alleging that despite repeated requests and her apprehensions, the SIT had not given any protection to her parents and to her.
Jarkiholi questioned
Meanwhile, Mr. Jarkiholi, along with his advocate, appeared before the SIT for questioning. The SIT officials questioned him about his complaint that someone was trying to blackmail him. Another team of officials questioned him about the woman’s allegation, accusing him of sexual exploitation and cheating on the pretext of offering her a job.
This is the third time that Mr. Jarkiholi has been questioned by the SIT. According to sources, the former Minister denied having any knowledge for most of the questions despite the SIT confronting him with the evidence they had gathered in the course of investigation.
Members of the Congress staged a protest in front of the technical cell at Adugodi where Mr. Jarkiholi was being questioned. The protesters shouted slogans against him demanding that the police arrest him. The police detained over 50 persons and brought the situation under control.