Leading Malayalam film actress Shweta Menon was allegedly molested by Congress MP N Peethambara Kurup at a function in Kochi on Friday evening, triggering protests from the film fraternity and women outfits despite vehement denial by the politician.
Without naming her tormentor, Shweta complained that she was insulted at the venue of the President’s Trophy boat race and television footage from the event showed the MP moving towards the actress and touching her.
While the 73-year-old Kurup termed the allegation as baseless, Shweta said she stood by whatever she had said about the incident.
She said she would decide on further action on the matter after consulting the Malayalam Artistes Association.
Though she has not lodged a formal complaint with the police, the actress claimed that she had told the district collector of the bitter experience she had suffered.
Seizing on that, women activists and opposition leaders voiced strong resentment at the failure of the authorities to act against the MP based on her oral complaint or take a suo motu case by taking cognizance of the television visuals.
Refuting the charge, Kurup said it is totally untrue.
“I am confident of proving my innocence. For the time being, it needs to be seen only as a politically motivated move when elections are approaching,” he said.
