Former YSRC MLA arrested for alleged sexual assault of maid in Kurnool

KURNOOL: Former YSRC MLA from Kodumur assembly constituency in Kurnool district, Dr Jeradoddi Sudhakar, was arrested on Thursday night for allegedly sexually assaulting his maid. The MLA has been charged with offences under the POCSO Act as well as various sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Sources said that though a complaint was filed by the victim before the elections, no action was taken against the then YSRC MLA.

According to the police, the victim's parents work as domestic workers at the former MP's Kurnool residence and the victim used to visit the house frequently. Sudhakar had allegedly been exploiting the girl for the past few years. Unable to bear the harassment, the girl lodged a complaint with the Kurnool II city police station in May this year.

A video of the former YSRC MLA misbehaving with the victim also went viral but no action was taken against him as he belonged to the ruling party.

With the change of government in power, the police have now responded to the complaint filed by the 19-year-old victim.

Since the alleged sexual assault took place in the last few years, the police have registered a case under Section 5(1) of the POCSO Act along with Sections 376(2), 376(3) and 506 of the Indian Penal Code.

Sudhakar was arrested from his residence in Kurnool and shifted to Orvakal police station. After interrogation, he was taken to Kurnool Government General Hospital for medical tests. Later, he was produced before the court and remanded in 14-day judicial custody at Kurnool Central Jail, Kurnool district SP G Krishnanath told TNIE.

Sudhakar contested the 2019 elections from Kodumur constituency (reserved for the Supreme Court) in Kurnool district under the YSRC banner and won. However, the party denied him a ticket for the 2024 elections.