BJP minister Ramesh Jarkiholi resigns after sexual harassment allegations

Ramesh Jarkiholi. File pic/PTI

A day after a case was registered against him for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman, Karnataka Water Resources Minister Ramesh Jarkiholi on Wednesday tendered resignation from his post.

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa accepted his resignation and sent it to Governor Vajubhai Vala for approval.

Purported video clips showing Jarkiholi getting intimate with an unidentified woman were widely aired by Kannada news channels on Tuesday. "The allegations against me are far from the truth, it has to be investigated at the earliest.

Though I'm confident about my innocence, taking moral responsibility I'm resigning my position as the cabinet Minister. I request you to accept it," Jarkiholi said in the letter to the Chief Minister. Sources said Jarkiholi tendered his resignation after directions from the party high command.

Jarkiholi and his brother MLA Balachandra Jarkiholi have sought inquiry into the allegations. Police will probe the matter, Karnataka Home Minister Basavraj Bommai said on Wednesday.

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