Pics: Umesh Marpalli
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP/UM)
Udupi, Dec 3: Journalist Chandra K Hemmady, against whom cases of sexual harassment of young boys have been pouring in, now faces a total of 21 cases under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The complaints have been filed in different police stations.
On Sunday December 2, two complaints were received in Gangolli station while another complaint was filed in Kollur station. With this, the number of similar complaints lodged against the journalist stand at 15 in Byndoor, three in Gangolli, and one each in Kundapur, Kollur and Kandlur stations. The police expect several more complaints to be received in the coming days.
The journalist's sexual escapades had hogged the limelight after first of such cases was filed in respect of a young boy student of a school near Byndoor. It is said that Chandra used to visit various schools and misused the children to satiate his lust in the guise of teaching the children and giving them training in music. Boys from a number of schools in Kundapur and Byndoor taluks have now come forward and complained against him now.
The journalist was remanded to three-day police custody first. At the expiry of this period, he was produced in the court on Monday December 3. The judge extended his custody till December 17.
Vijaya Vasu Poojary, prosecutor, speaking to media said that 21 cases under POCSO is the first in history against a same person. Till now Chandra Hemmady has not applied for any bail.