Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) spokesperson R Vikraman has been booked by Chennai police following a complaint by a Dalit woman lawyer. The woman accuses Vikraman of harassment and financial abuse under the guise of a romantic relationship. An FIR has been filed against him, including charges of rape, cheating, defamation and violations of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The FIR was registered based on a court order, which came after the woman’s private petition requested the registration of a case. Vikraman, known for his Ambedkarite positions, faces serious allegations and legal repercussions.
The complainant, an anti-caste, Ambedkarite lawyer, and Dalit rights activist, initially raised her allegations in May. She claimed that Vikraman had subjected her to casteist, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse over an extended period within the context of a romantic relationship. In a letter dated 19 April 2023, she had written to VCK party president Thol Thirumavalavan, outlining the substantial financial and emotional damage she had endured due to Vikraman’s actions.
Kiruba also said that Vikraman made her spend money by making her feel like they were in a husband-wife relationship. “When I asked about why he spent ₹80,000/- on his credit card he degraded me by saying, ‘You yourself are freeloading by cheating the government and getting a scholarship by providing a fake caste certificate.’ He also alleged that I will use Dalit men in VCK to rape his sister and mother.”, Kiruba wrote in her letter.
Kiruba also stated that when she mentioned about his caste privileges of being born in the Chettiar caste and his casteist attacks on her, he allegedly taunted her back saying that she was using her Dalit card thereby insulting her life experience as a Dalit woman.
“He has slandered not only about me but also about Dalit key members of his party.”, she said.
“In the last three years, he has made me feel guilty and made me feel that it is wrong to talk about caste oppression or my self-respect as an individual. Because of his psychological oppression, he kept me thinking of committing suicide. I have been severely affected by this and have been forced to seek treatment from a mental health professional.”, Kiruba further alleged in her letter.
Following her letter, the VCK party established an internal inquiry committee, tasked with investigating the matter. However, the complainant later alleged that she had not received the inquiry committee’s report and was not provided with a copy despite multiple requests. On 16 July 2023, she took to social media to demand the committee’s report and called for action against Vikraman.
After having undergone a great deal of agony over the past few months & a huge disappointment, I'm writing in public. I've known @RVikraman since 2013 when he participated in an event in which I was a guest. When I left for London in Aug 2020, he voluntarily came to send me off. pic.twitter.com/AA2rTxagZm
— Kiruba Munusamy (@kirubamunusamy) July 16, 2023
In response, Vikraman denied the abuse allegations on 17 July 2023, stating that their relationship had been strictly platonic.
I deny the allegations made against me by Ms. Kiruba Munusamy in entirety. A coin has two sides likewise this story also has two sides. "There is only one victim in this issue and it is me rather than the person making the accusations against me".
We were acquaintances till… pic.twitter.com/IGCFE0PrBl
— Vikraman R (@RVikraman) July 17, 2023
Since the VCK party did not disclose any actions taken against Vikraman, the complainant filed a police complaint with the Chennai Commissioner of Police on 20 July 2023. Despite repeated requests, no action was taken, prompting her to file a private petition with the special court.
As a result of the court’s order, the FIR was filed against Vikraman, encompassing multiple charges, including criminal breach of trust, cheating, rape, defamation, criminal intimidation, and violations of the Information Technology Act. Relevant sections of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were also included, along with a penalty for harassment under the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Woman Act.
Vikraman has been accused of sexual harassment many times in the past not just by women. He faced allegations of sexually harassing a man during what was purported to be an audition in 2021. The victim, who chose to remain anonymous, shared his traumatic experience on an Instagram meme page. He described how Vikraman lured him to a house for an audition related to a Jallikattu-themed movie, where he was made to remove his shirt and act in a macho manner. Vikraman allegedly pushed him to the bed and sexually harassed him. Afterward, Vikraman’s friends reprimanded him. The victim revealed that Vikraman had locked his shirt away and begged him not to disclose the incident, promising to help him enter the film industry. Feeling threatened due to Vikraman’s purported political connections, the victim decided to speak out, indicating that he has shared his experience with family and friends and still possesses Vikraman’s contact details.
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