Congress MP N Peethambara Kurup, embroiled in controversy over alleged molestation of Malayalam cine actress Shweta Menon at a function here last evening, today strongly denied having committed such an act.
"It is totally untrue. I am telling this since my name has come up in a section of the media in connection with the incident," 73-year-old Kurup, representing Kollam in the Lok Sabha, told the media here on Saturday.
Shweta had on Friday complained, without naming her tormentor, that she was physically humilated at the venue of the President's Trophy boat race function in Kollam on Friday evening.
Media footage showed Kurup touching her after which the MP issued the statement.
The MP today said it was extremely painful that his name had been dragged into the unfortunate incident and that he was confident of proving his innocence with the backing of strong proof.
"For the time being it needs to be seen only as a politically motivated move when elections are approaching. It is painful that any kind of malicious attack could be unleashed against me just because I am a politician," he said.
The incident sparked strong protests from the Malayalam film fraternity and women's oufits who demanded strong action in the incident.
Police are yet to register a case in connection with the incident, based either on the complaint the actress claimed to have orally made to the District Collector or by taking note of media reports.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told reporters at Kottayam that he had not received any complaint from the actor so far on the incident.
"If we get a complaint, after investigation appropriate action will be taken,." he said.
"It is a most unfortunate and shameful incident that happened at Kollam. Shewata called me this morning and told me she suffered the humiliation from an elected representative.We demand strong action by the authorities," Innocent told local media.
Leader of CPI(M)'s women outfit and Rajya Sabha member T N Seema criticised the Collector for taking lightly the complaint of Shweta.
Shweta had claimed she had complained to Collector B Mohanan, about the incident at the event, to which she was invited as the Chief Guest.
"I am ashamed of what had happened.I have made a complaint to the District Collector. I have nothing more to say now," she said.
Asked about it, Mohanan, however, said he had not received any complaint from the actress.
Shweta today said she had not reacted at the function as she did not want to create a scene there. She said she had informed the Collector about the incident over phone and he had apologized to her.
However, the official had now withdrawn what he had said. "As a woman I feel degraded," she said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told reporters at Kottayam that he had not received any complaint from the actor so far on the incident.
"If we get a complaint, after investigation appropriate action will be taken," he said.
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