Woman accuses BJP leader of sexual assault, threats

Mangaluru: A 47-year-old woman has accused BJP leader Arun Kumar Puthila of sexually assaulting and threatening her. In a complaint, the woman alleged that the accused had invited her to a hotel in Bengaluru in June 2023, threatened that he will die by suicide and sexually assaulted her against her will. She alleged that Puthila had promised to take care of her and her daughter; and blackmailed her using selfies, photographs, audio, and video clippings. She alleged that he minimised talking to her after the Lok Sabha elections.Based on the woman's complaint, a case has been registered at the Women's police station under IPC 354 (A), 417 and 506. Dakshina Kannada SP Yathish N said that an investigation is ongoing.It may be recalled that before the Lok Sabha elections, Hindutva activist Arun Kumar Puthila, who had unsuccessfully contested against the BJP in the assembly election from Puttur assembly constituency, rejoined the party in March this year. Puthila had contested the assembly elections from Puttur as an independent after he was denied a BJP ticket. Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai had secured 66,607 votes, defeating Puthila, who bagged 62,458 votes, thus winning by a margin of 4,149 votes.Puthila also founded Puthila Parivar, which was later merged with the BJP. This reportedly left several members from the Parivar and the BJP upset.