#MeToo: After Arjun Sarja's defamation case, Sruthi Hariharan gets FIR registered against him for sexual harassment

Starting from accusations, the ongoing controversy between Arjun Sarja and Sruthi Hariharan has taken a legal turn. The popular Kannada star had slapped a defamation case on the latter demanding Rs 5 crore in damages and also reportedly filing a police complaint about her claims. The 'Solo' star has now responded by approaching the police, following which a First Information Report was filed against the ‘Action King.’ The 54-year-old was booked under Sections 354, 354 A, 506 and 509 of the IPC following the complaint at the Cubbon Park police station in Bengaluru.

READ: #MeToo: Sruthi Hariharan Gets Support From Prakash Raj, Shraddha Srinath After Accusing Arjun Sarja Of Sexual Harassment

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) D. Devaraj confirmed the news to a news agency saying the force would investigate on the basis of the complaint and in accordance to the provisions of the law. He said Sruthi had accused the senior actor of making ‘unwelcome sexual advances’, committing gestures to 'outrage her modesty' and ‘criminal intimidation’ over a period of time.

The 29-year-old further narrated the details of the alleged incidents to the police by saying Arjun touched her inappropriately on her hips, thighs and up to her bra while hugging during rehearsals on the sets of the bilingual ‘Vismaya’ in 2015. She also claimed that the latter pulled her close to him by holding her hand during a scene to be shot on a bed. Sruthi says she resisted his advances, completed the shot and left the sets. In her complaint, the 'Beautiful Manasugalu' star also said Arjun once followed her and held her back ‘hard’ from behind while they were in a shopping arcade for a shoot, and invited her to his room and allegedly said they’d have fun. Sruthi claimed the 'Prasad' actor would make sexual overtures towards her saying they should go to his private place and spend some private time together.

READ: #MeToo: Arjun Sarja Slaps Defamation Case Of Rs 5 Crore Against Sruthi Hariharan; Actors Attend Meet To Resolve Conflict

The actor said she ‘silently suffered’ Arjun's ‘inappropriate behaviour’ and didn’t take any action as she was a newcomer while he enjoyed clout in the film industry and the 'power corridors.' She also claimed that her complaint to the director of the film went unanswered. Sruthi revealed the reason for her opening up now was because of the #MeToo movement going full throttle and how she felt like expressing her ordeal when she saw other people unable to talk about being subjected to sexual harassment.