Woman colleague claims she was harassed over a period of three months; alleges DMRC transferred her when matter came to light

Delhi Metro official accused of molestation

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Delhi Metro official accused of molestation

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Woman colleague claims she was harassed over a period of three months; alleges DMRC transferred her when matter came to light

DELHI METRO MOLESTATION: Five unanswered questions
*u00a0How could a senior law officer be molested for three months?
* Why doesn't DMRC have a sexual harassment committee?
* Why wasn't action initiated once the matter came to light?
* Why was the victim transferred to another department?
* Why does the in-house probe panel have no outsiders?

The Delhi Metro's impeccable credentials are taking a beating. A senior law officer with DMRC has alleged she was molested over a period of three months by her superior, N P Singh, General Manager (Law). The matter came to light on Thursday, when the lady approached the police.

"It started with comments on attire and later on turned vulgar. He used to ask her to report on duty on Sundays and later on also started touching her, patting her on the back for instance," said Delhi police sources.
"Later on he started feeling her up on occasions. When she resisted he threatened her that she could lose her job," the complaint read.

The victim has also alleged that the accused sent her obscene messages. There were reports that around three months back she had approached senior Delhi Metro officials. But she was transferred out of the law department to the human resource department. However, Anuj Dayal, Delhi Metro spokesperson, said, she was transferred on Wednesday as she was feeling uncomfortable working with the accused. "We do not have any prior knowledge of the complaint," Dayal said.

Sources in DMRC pointed out that the victim had not approached the sexual harassment committee, as no such committee exists in the organisation. This is in violation of central government rules.
However, Anuj Dayal claimed that such a committee does exist in Delhi Metro.

DMRC did not even confirm that it was a case of sexual harassment. Dayal said a complaint had been received from a lady employee alleging misbehaviour against her senior in the organisation.
A three-member inquiry committee consisting of two senior lady officers and an officer from the HR department of DMRC has been constituted to look into the matter, the Metro spokesperson said.
The accused, N P Singh did not take calls despite several attempts by MiD DAY.

However, Delhi police has registered a case under Sections 354 (outraging the modesty of a woman) and 509 (making indecent gestures to insult a woman) of Indian Penal Code against the accused who has not been arrested yet.

Additional DCP V A Gupta said: "The complainant has alleged that the accused was in the habit of making obscene gestures and indulged in cheap talk and used double entendres. We will have to investigate the matter based on the allegations before we make any arrests."

Rules overruled
According to the rules of the National Commission for Women (NCW), sexual harassment cases should be investigated under the supervision of NGOs and outside experts. But the committee constituted by Delhi Metro comprises insiders.

COURT ON QUOTE
As per the 1997 Supreme Court Judgment on Sexual Harassment at Workplace, (Vishakha vs State of Rajasthan ) every employer is required to provide for effective complaints procedures and remedies including awarding of compensation to women victims. In sexual harassment complaints, the concerned organization are urged to expedite cases and the disposal is monitored.

GUILTY OR NOT?
Earlier last month a Delhi Metro train operator allegedly molested a lady cop. The woman filed a written complaint against the operator but Metro administration allegedly didn't take any action against the accused. However, later the lady cop retracted her complaint.