By Our Reporter
Shillong: An aide of Meghalaya Governor Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary has been accused of molesting a teenage dancer inside his official residence. police said Monday.
Assam Rifles Deputy Commandant Gopa Kumar, who was deputed as ADC to the Governor, allegedly molested the 19-year-old dancer of the Megha Rockers Dance group on Sunday evening, police said.
“We have received a complaint of molestation. We have registered a case and a probe is on,” a senior police official told a news agency.
The East Khasi Hills superintendent of police, AR Mawthoh said the girl originally from Jowai , Jaintia Hills was part of the dance troupe and they went to the residential quarter of Kumar to discuss about the Republic day programme .
The ADC, however, has rubbished the allegation against him and termed it as a ploy to “tarnish” his image.
“If I want to do something, why should I call them all? It is nothing but this allegation was to tarnish my image. I will fight it in the court,” he said.
A case has been registered against Kumar under section 354 of the IPC. If proven guilty, he could be imprisoned for two years and fined.
On Sunday, Kumar invited the group, comprising four girls and five boys to come to his residence to discuss a cultural programme to be held January 26 during the Governor’s reception on Republic Day.
“He (the aide) had called the girl to another room on the pretext of offering her something but instead molested her,” a police official said.
Kumar admitted that he had invited the dancing group to his residence but said that this was to inform them that their proposal to participate in the “Governor’s At Home” January 26 was not considered as authorities has already finalized the cultural programme.
“They were angry with me because they were not considered for the programme and now they are making these allegations,” he said.
A Raj Bhavan official, speaking on condition of anonymity to a news agency, said: “The aide was summoned by the Governor today but it is not known what transpired in the one-on-one meeting.” (With inputs from agencies)
