Ex-minister Rathod junks woman’s sex-for-job charge

Yavatmal: Former forest minister Sanjay Rathod, who resigned from the state cabinet after his name was embroiled in 23-year-old woman’s suicide case in Pune, has landed in another controversy as an unidentified woman has accused him of seeking sexual favours.
The woman had sent a complaint by post to Wadgaon Jungale police station officer and copy to Yavatmal superintendent of police alleging that Rathod, Shiv Sena MLA from Digras, sought sexual favours to ensure job for her husband in the school run by him.
Rathod called a press conference on Friday and termed the allegation a conspiracy to ruin his political career. “The allegations are without any grain of truth. Political baiters are trying to malign my image,” he said.
Giving brief background, Rathod said he runs an aided ashram shala having classes from Std I to Std XII at Shivpuri in Ghatanji tehsil. “Services of two teachers and a cook were terminated due to their prolonged absence from duty. After following due procedure, the vacant posts were filled,” he said.
“One of the newly appointed teachers resigned on April 13, 2017,” said the MLA.
The sacked employees had appealed against the termination before assistant commissioner of VJ/NT, which was dismissed. They have challenged the decision before the high court and the case is pending, said Rathod.
Meanwhile, the teacher who had resigned voluntarily approached the school trust and requested for a chance to serve again, but the plea was rejected.
“Since then, threat messages are being sent using different mobiles. This has been brought to the notice of Wadgaon Jungale station house officer,” said Rathod, adding when these tactics didn’t work, attempt is being made to malign his image.
Superintendent of police Dilip Patil Bhujbal said a non-cognizable offence has been registered and an application is moved before the court for permission to collect information from mobile companies. After verifying the woman and MLA’s claims, the police would finalise FIR, he said.
Yavatmal Zilla Parishad president Kalintabai Pawar, chairman of education committee Shreedhar Mohod, two district chiefs Parag Pingale and Rajendra Gaikwad were also present at the press conference.