Mika must publicly apologise to me: Rakhi

New Delhi, June 19 (UNI) The dust over the Mika and Rakhi Sawant episode refuses to settle down! Belying any hopes of an "amicable end" to the row over party kissing incident involving Punjabi pop singer Mika and Bollywood actor Rakhi Sawant, the starlet today asserted that she would not withdraw her case against Mika till he publicly apologised to her, even as the National Commission for Women said it was prima facie a case of sexual harrasment.

Talking to newspersons here after recording her statement before the NCW, actor Rakhi Sawant said,''Mika must publicly apologise to me before the court and the media. Only then will I consider withdrawing the case against him.'' Claiming that the incident had left her "shell-shocked", Rakhi said,''I was so shocked at what he did that I did not know how to react at that time.'' When pointed out that only a little while before the incident, she had been caught on camera giving a peck on Mika's cheek, Rakhi said,''it was a peck given to him as a friend. However, I had not imagined in my wildest dreams that he would do what he did.'' Claiming that she would never befriend Mika again after the incident which she described as an "outrage on her modesty", she said she would make all efforts to ensure that he recieved the severest possible punishment.

Rakhi said she had recounted whatever happened at the party on Saturday night and submitted the requisite documentary evidence in support of her charge.

''I am sure being a woman herself, Mrs Girija Vyas will ensure that I get full justice in the case,''she said.

''Its not a case of one Rakhi Sawant alone but the issue pertains to modesty of every woman,''she said.

Earlier NCW chairperson Girija Vyas told reporters that from what Rakhi had told her and the documentary evidence she had presented, it clearlt seemed a case of misbehaviour and outraging the modesty of a woman.

''Undoubtedly, injustice has been done to Rakhi. It makes for a case of sexual harrasment,''Mrs Vyas said.

Noting, however, that the case was subjudice, she said,''I'm sure the court of law will mete out full justice in the case. The guilty should be given the most stringent punishment.'' Mrs Vyas said action would also be taken against those who had indulged in whistling on the scene.

UNI AR VD DB1957