Mumbai: One of the MLAs from Karanataka Ashok Kheny is in trouble after an FIR was filed by the Mumbai police against him after a complaint was lodged by a leading news channel’s bureau chief.

The journalist who had approached Kheny at J W Marriot hotel in Juhu area was verbally abused by the MLA after she tried to interview him regarding the alleged horse-trading for elections to the Rajya Sabha.

The case against the MLA under IPC section 509 (using word intended to insult the modesty of a woman) has been registered at the Santa Cruz police station.

“I was just doing my job by questioning him. His reaction is just not acceptable. He had no business treating a journalist, who is doing her job, like that. Yesterday when I went to the police station, I just lodged a simple complaint against Kheny. But about 10 minutes later they said they want to register an FIR. I went back and filed a detailed complaint,” she said.

In her complaint she said “I was following a story about the alleged horse-trading indulged into by a few MLAs from Karnataka, in connection with the Rajya Sabha elections. I spotted MLA Ashok Kheny in the hotel lobby. I first introduced myself and asked for two minutes of his time. He kept walking away from me and called the hotel staff, and in an absolutely unacceptable manner used abusing language for me saying “arrest karo iss saali ko”. Such language cannot be tolerated at all…”

The channel’s Editor-in-chief called Kheny has demanded a written apology for using “disgraceful” language against his colleague, who was only doing her job.

It may be recalled that leading news channels conducted sting operations in which MLAs including Kheny were being offered funds to support Congress’ Rajya Sabha nominees.