Mapusa Police have booked the two men following a complaint by a lady staffer working with the panchayat. The wife of the former panch is currently a panch of the panchayat.
According to complainant the duo has been harassing her for the last four months. In her complaint she said that she had orally complained to the panchayat secretary but since no action has been taken she approached the police.
The lady in her complaint said the duo sent her messages on her cell phone and demanded sexual favours. On July 8, the two men, angry that she had complained to the panchayat secretary had come to the Panchayat Ghar and abused her with filthy and abusive language in front of the secretary and two other lady workers, she stated. She also said that the duo has threatened to sack her from service if she failed to fulfil their demands.
The victim, who complained with the help of an NGO, also informed police of her fear of security in the village and cited the criminal background of one of the accused.
Sources at the panchayat said the duo was pressurizing the Sarpanch to sack the victim as she was not satisfying their demands. The victim is serving in the panchayat on contract basis. The Sarpanch is presently facing a no-confidence motion moved by the duo and the vote has been scheduled for Tuesday morning.
Mapusa Police Inspector Tushar Vernekar said an offence has been registered under Sections 451,504, 506, 509 & 354-A read with 34 of Indian Penal Code.
He said notices were sent to both accused to appear before the investigating officer on Tuesday afternoon.
