Ministry pulls up NCW member

The Women and Child Development ministry issued a show cause notice to Nirmala Venkatesh, a member of National Commission for Women for dereliction of duty while conducting an inquiry into Mangalore pub assault case.

The Women and Child Development ministry on Thursday issued a show cause notice to Nirmala Venkatesh, a member of National Commission for Women for dereliction of duty while conducting an inquiry into Mangalore pub assault case.

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Venkatesh was accused of issuing a statement in Mangalore accusing the pub owner of serving liquor without a license. The NCW has distanced itself with the statement. Mangalore pub owners had also leveled allegations of corruption against her.

Thereafter, the ministry sent a fact-finding committee headed by Joint Secretary Kiran Chadda to Mangalore. The committee submitted its report to WCD Minister Renuka Chowdhury on Wednesday. On the basis of the report, the ministry, in its notice, said, “Her acts were unbecoming of a member of the commission” and were “detrimental to public interest.” The notice read: “You are show-caused on why action should not be taken against you for dereliction of duty and conduct unbecoming of the high office you hold.”

Venkatesh has been asked to reply immediately.