Complaint against Meenakshi Lekhi over leaking journalist's name in the Tehelka sexual assault case

A lawyer Monday submitted a complaint to the Goa Crime Branch against BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi for allegedly leaking the name of the woman journalist who has accused Tehelka editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal of sexual assault.

Lekhi Sunday told the National Commission for Women (NCW) that she was not responsible for putting out the woman's name on the social media.

"Lekhi has revealed the surname of the victim on Twitter in the ongoing Tarun Tejpal rape case, which is an offence under Section 228 A of the IPC (Indian Penal Code)," lawyer Sunil Kavthankar said in his complaint.

"By doing so, Lekhi has not only disclosed the identity of the victim which may cause grave inconvenience to her but has also shown gross insensitiveness towards Indian women and the law at large," the complaint says.

A Crime Branch official, however, said no First Information Report has been registered yet.

On Sunday, Lekhi rejected the accusation that she leaked the woman's name. She told the NCW that her Twitter handle was misused by someone and termed the allegations against her a "politically motivated campaign".

The Crime Branch has already received another complaint against social activist Madhu Kishwar. Hasiba Amin, president of the state unit of the National Students Union of India (NSUI), has demanded action against Kishwar for leaking the woman's name.