4 Years After Woman SI Files Complaint Of Sexual Harassment, Odisha CB Registers Case

Bhubaneswar: In a shocking incident, police have started investigation into allegation of sexual harassment of a police officer 4 years after she filed the complaint in Odisha’s Kandhamal district.

As per reports, the victim, a female Sub-Inspector (SI) of Odisha Police, had filed the complaint of sexual harassment against the IIC Ramesh Pradhan of Phiringia police station in the district in 2019. But neither the case was registered nor investigation initiated.

Though the SI sought intervention of the higher authorities through letters, no step was initiated on her complaint. Finally, she approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for justice.

Following an inquiry into the SI’s complaint, the NHRC asked Odisha DGP to register a case. As per the Commission’s order, the DGP has handed over the case to the Crime Branch and a special team has been formed for investigation.

“On the order of NHRC, Odisha Crime Branch has registered a case and a lady DSP is investigating into the allegation. We will ensure an impartial investigation into the case,” said DGP Arun Kumar Sarangi.