Thiruvananthapuram: The CPI(M) state committee has suspended PK Sasi from the party following a sexual abuse complaint lodged against him by a woman leader of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI). The decision was taken in the state committee meeting on Monday.

A DYFI woman leader had complained about sexual harassment against CPI(M) MLA (Shoranur) Sasi in early September. The complaint letter was submitted to CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury. The letter stated that Sasi tried to grab her after calling her to the committee office in Mannarkad.

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As per the party by-law, the suspension is the most serious action that can be taken against a party member. Sasi has been suspended for six months. Sasi is no longer a member of the party as his membership has been cancelled.

Sasi was suspended on the basis of the report submitted by the party leaders PK Sreemathy and AK Balan who were appointed to investigate the complaint. The report said that Sasi made obscene phone calls to the woman. However, he clarified that a sexual misconduct has not occurred.

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The Administrative Reform Commission chairman VS Achuthanandan was dissatisfied with the delayed action against Sasi. He had also expressed his concerns in appointing Sasi as the march captain of the party.