Thaindian News

Kolkata, July 3 (IANS) Alleging sexual harassment of Asiad gold medalist runner Pinki Pramanik, accused of being a male and currently under judicial custody for “rape”, a civil rights group Tuesday sought West Bengal rights panel’s help in the case.

Association for Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) has requested the West Bengal Human Rights Commission’s intervention in the matter.

“Until proved otherwise, Pinki is a female and the way the police are treating her is deplorable. We have approached the WBHRC giving evidence about how Pinki has been continuously sexually harassed ever since she was arrested,” APDR secretariat member Ranajit Sur told IANS.

Sur led a seven-member delegation and met WBHRC chairman Ashok Kumar Ganguly and submitted newspaper clippings, photos and pictures to substantiate their claim.

Holding the administration responsible for an MMS clip showing the athlete in the nude while undergoing a gender test which has gone viral online, the organisation sought exemplary against the guilty.

“For nearly three weeks, Pramanik has been in judicial custody. Therefore, the entire responsibility of allowing this MMS clip to have been created rests with the administration. The commission must therefore enquire the entire matter and punish the guilty,” added Sur.

The treatment meted out to the athlete has attracted criticism from the sporting fraternity as well.

“Male police officers have been escorting her and at times dragging her out from the van. This is absolutely deplorable,” former national women’s swimming champion Bula Chowdhury said.

“She may be charged for a particular crime, but why is she being subjected to this harassment?” asked Shanti Mullick, the only woman Arjuna Award winner in football.